Critically injured female extracted before being transported to hospital, Hartbeespoort Dam
In a technical high angle rescue and technical swift water rescue operation a female found critically injured at the Hartbeespoort Dam wall was extracted before being transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition. Arthur Crewe, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam station commander, said, “At 12h30, Wednesday, 1 March 2023, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew and Strategic Rescue Unit (SRU) were activated to assist the South Africa Police Services at the foot of the Southern side of the Hartbeespoort Dam wall. Madibeng Water Affairs closed the sluice gates of the dam to aid in the rescue efforts.”
Crewe added, “Rescuers rigged high angle technical rescue gear and swift water technical rescue gear to reach the 21 year old local female who was found to be critically injured from a fall from a height. On reaching her, NSRI medics and SRU medics provided medical care and they were joined by paramedics from Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).”
“After being medically stabilised the patient was extricated to the roadway before being transported to hospital by a HEMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition”, he said.
Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service reported, “Wednesday afternoon HEMS received a call of a person who allegedly jumped off the Hartbeespoort Dam wall. HEMS and Station 21 Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. On arrival at scene HEMS crew went down to assess and treat the injured patient. The patient was stabilised, working together with SRU a rescue was initiated, using rescue ropes. The patient was safely brought to the top and was transported to a hospital in Brits for further treatment. Thank you to all services on scene.”
Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the lady becoming trapped and injured at the dam wall.
The swift reaction and complex technical rescue operation is commended.
Sources: The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)