A twenty eight year old pilot is in a serious condition after crashing his light aircraft on to a farm about 25km outside Ladybrand this afternoon.
ER24 along with other emergency personnel arrived on the scene and found the light aircraft had crashed into the fields of the farm. The pilot was found outside the aircraft on one of the wings. The pilot who was conscious was in a serious condition. Paramedics assessed the patient and found that he had suffered possible head and chest injuries. The patient also suffered multiple short and long bone fractures. Advanced Life Support Intervention had to be performed on the patient before he could be transported by Aerocare to Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic in a serious condition for further medical care.
It is unclear what caused the pilot to lose control of the plane and crash but the necessary authorities were notified and a investigation would be done into the accident.
Info from Aerocare:
ER 24 contacted Aerocare to assist with an emergency evacuation at 13h40. The patient was a pilot who crashed at a farm near Ladybrand. Mr Van Eeden was busy flying and spraying farm fields when the airdraft experienced engine trouble.
EMS and ER 24 were called by the farmer and ER24 gave permission to Aerocare to perform the evacuation. Aerocare departed with a King Air 200 to the landing strip at Ladybrand. The pasient was delivered via EMS road ambulance from the hospital to the landing strip. The patient was transferred to the aircraft, medical procedures performed and delivered to Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic.
Mr Van Eeden’s brother accompanied him on the flight while his wife and parents were at the hospital. Mr. Van Eeden’s employers were present at the Ladybrand landing strip – Orsmonde Aviation. It is believed that the patient suffered fractures of the right arm and leg as well as multiple deep lacerations to the head and face.