A man believed to be in his late forties was reported missing on Sunday morning by his family, who had traced his cell phone to Kloof Gorge Viewing area.
ER24 paramedics and SAPS Search and Rescue around on the scene and were meet by the missing person’s wife. She gave the emergency personnel information and when he was last seen. Shortly afterwards the Fire Department and Rescue Tech arrived on the scene.
Two fireman were calling out and heard a faint call for help coming from the side of the gorge. SAPS Search And Rescue Tech set up high angle rope rescue systems on the side of the cliff where they could hear the man.
Three paramedics and SAPS Search And Rescue Officer was lowered down to were the patient was. They were to assess the patient and determine how to get him back to the top. The patient was assessed and found he had multiple broken bones, suspected chest injuries and suspected neck and back injuries.
The patient was in a serious but stable condition but needed Advanced Life Support intervention to help stabilise him further. The patient was placed in a rescue stretcher before he was hoisted up by the SAPS Helicopter to waiting emergency personnel on top.
Once on top, the patient was reassessed by the paramedics and then was airlifted by the Department Of Health Air Medical Helicopter to hospital for further medical care.
It is believed that the man was at the viewing area when he lost his footing after strong winds knocked him off balance and fell about 60m into the gorge.
Great team work and communication amongst all the services made this a successful rescue.
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