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Helicopter crash in Crocodile River near Brits
A helicopter crashed into the Crocodile River near Brits in the North West on Sunday morning, 10 January 2021. Paramedics had to evade crocodiles while trying to save lives. One person died in the accident. According to Leandre Spies of the Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), they were called out to the accident scene outside Brits on Sunday morning when a helicopter with a pilot and two passengers crashed into the Crocodile River. “Sunday morning at 11h45 HEMS received a call of a helicopter crash. An Alouette ll helicopter carrying three people crashed into the Crocodile River just outside of Brits. The pilot of the helicopter managed to free himself from the wreckage and called for help. With HEMS arrival on scene two passengers were still entrapped in the wreckage. The pilot was transported to a hospital in Brits. A rescue attempt was quickly set in motion to rescue the two entrapped patients as crocodiles were noticed in the area. With the help of bystanders, HEMS medics freed one of the entrapped patients, the patient was placed on spinal motion restriction equipment and carried out of the river. The patient sustained serious injuries and was airlifted by Emergency Medical Helicopter to an appropriate hospital. Sadly the other passenger was declared dead on scene,” said Spies.
Source: Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service |
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