Image: N3 - Kwazulu Natal Area (A is not the rescue area) Click on image for larger view.
Mossel Bay: 9 August 2012
At approximately 08:54 last night (8 August 2012) SAWDOS received an email message for assistance to the effect that 3 young ladies were trapped/stranded in snow near Montrose, Kwazulu Natal.
The message was send from JP Human who spotted the following request:
Pig Spotter KZN (@pigspotkzn)
2012/08/08 20:00
@TrafficSA @jvbtrafficguy we stuck in snow Sxx'xx.xxx' , E0xx'xx.xxx' , elev: 1695 m we 3 girls pls call me xxx xxx xxxx - tamy
This message went out on Twitter and several responded online to the request for assistance. They were: @jvbtrafficguy: @SAWDOS1 @tbrinch @trafficsa
Here is the sequence of events:
SAWDOS writes: @TrafficSA @jvbtrafficguy Can you guys confirm this request. I (SAWDOS) dialed the number but subscriber not available. Will try again - SAWDOS
TBRINCH writes: I can provide exact location from co-ordinates - tbrinch
SAWDOS writes: Thanks but we have the co's plotted. - SAWDOS
SAWDOS writes: Just spoke to Tamy. They OK but await rescue. Two cars stuck. SAP apparently activated - SAWDOS
SAWDOS asked Tamy to reserve her cellphone battery ICE. - SAWDOS
JVBTRAFFICGUY writes: We were coordinating help. Tamy, what's your status?
TAMY writes: Undercarriage of car broken, getting towed! Will keep everyone updated! Thanx
TBRICH writes: OK see Tarnys new tweet says they been towed. Standing by...
TAMY writes: Got volunteer paramedic, another car stuck! Check my other tweets pls Low battery
JVBTRAFFICGUY writes: Trevor she's just tweeted that they're being towed. Sounds promising!
SAWDOS writes: Tamy please confirm once your ordeal is over and that you are all safe.
TAMY writes: Were far off the main road. Please pple, don't go snow hunting offrd!
TAMY writes: We are safe still getting towed! Thanx so much to everyone! We going to Montrose Engen stop area!
SAWDOS writes: OK great news. Glad you all safe. - SAWDOS
SAWDOS writes: Thanks to all those who assisted in Tamy's rescue especially those who did the actual rescue - SAWDOS
TAMY writes: Us 3 girls are all fine, eaten and caffeined up, continuing our trip to Jo'burg! Thanx so very everyone I truly mean it from my heart!
TAMY writes: I think everyone should ACTUALLY listen to @jvbtrafficguy when he tells u not to go snow hunting! Getting lost and stuck on a snow mountain!
A successful rescue and team effort by: @TrafficSA,@jvbtrafficguy,@SAWDOS1,@tbrinch,@afritrack,@WayneBroodrykTM,@wayne_theParamedic Phil, JP Human ZS2BZ and anybody else not mention here that was involved in this rescue. A special word of thanks to all those who were actually involved in the actual rescue out there in the cold. Highly appreciated.
Now why mention this chain of events? Apart from being able to rescue and comfort those involved, Twitter has showed that it is a very useful tool in the hands of those to be rescued and those who co-ordinate the actual rescue.(rescuers) Once again Twitter has shown it's power.
The rescue mission was completed at around 23h00 last night.
Johan Terblanche
Founder: SA Weather and Disaster Information Service
Mossel Bay
9 August 2012
15h00 SAST
Johan,
ReplyDeleteAgreed ! The more people that link their twitter to SAWDOS, the more efficient this communication will become. I never used twitter due to the rubbish been tweeted, but with such factual events as above, I reactivated it. SAWDOS, with Ham Radio and Hamnet, this is a powerful medium. Trevor (L'Agulhas)