The unconscious man who was presumed to be dead lying on the beach at Tugela. Image: North Coast Courier
A microlight pilot who has opted to not be identified will be remembered as the hero who alerted authorities to what was initially assumed to be a body on a remote beach far north of Tugela Mouth on Thursday morning, reports North Coast Courier.
Miraculously, and after a 15-hour long operation to recover the body, it was discovered that the man was in fact alive, but in a critical condition.
Reaching the area proved difficult and teams from Police Search and Rescue hiked for kilometres to reach the unconscious man.
He was stabilised by paramedics before a treacherous hike back to an awaiting ambulance, said IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Paul Herbst.
The man was then taken to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.
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