At midday, Saturday, 04th August, NSRI Sea Rescue helicopter unit volunteer duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following a request for medical assistance from the I&J stern fishing trawler Freesia reporting one of their crewmen onboard to have sustained serious head injuries from a cable that allegedly backlashed into his head after reportedly snapping under strain 70 nautical miles (130 kilometers) off-shore of Cape Agulhas.
A WC Government Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) duty doctor was tasked by MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Center) to medically evaluate the patient by radio telephone and it was diagnosed, following a medical evaluation, to require immediate evacuation of the patient by the fastest possible means to an appropriate medical facility for treatment.
The patients condition has been evaluated as critical.
The NSRI Sea Rescue helicopter unit volunteer duty crew, 2 EMS paramedics, and flight crews from the SA Air Force (SAAF) 22 Squadron at Air Force Base Ysterplaat base are in the process of launching the medical rescue operation in 2 Squadron 22 Oryx helicopters.
Advice on medical treatment of the patient, pending the rescue mission arrival on-scene, is being given to the ships captain by the EMS duty doctor by radio telephone.
The fishing trawler has been instructed to head towards Cape Town to reduce the distance of the rescue mission.
Estimated time of departure is 15h00 (04th August) and the patient will be flown directly to Groote Schuur Hospital where a medical team are standing-by to receive the patient.
Updates to follow.
-ENDS-
Released by:
Craig Lambinon
Sea Rescue Communications
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