Man survived 100m fall - paramedics

Johannesburg - A man was rescued after he fell 100m from the Shongweni bridge in Pinetown on Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal paramedics said.

“The 35-year-old man went over the side of the bridge, while witnesses said his car was parked nearby,” ER 24 spokesperson Vanessa Jackson said.

“The circumstances surrounding the reasons as to why the man went over in the first place will be investigated by the police who were involved in the call.”

Jackson said when rescuers reached the man, who landed in the bush, he was alert, conscious and complaining of pain.

“Immediate efforts were started to set up the rescue equipment, where they would have to go over the side of the bridge to pull the man up in a specialised stretcher,” she said.

“Almost two hours later, and their patient still in a stable condition, rescuers had managed to bring the man up to the top of the bridge and he was further treated for his injuries.”

Jackson said the man sustained a broken arm and possible neck and back injuries. He was taken to the Hillcrest Private Hospital for further medical care.

- Sapa/IOL