A river under a bridge in the small town of Umzimkulu, in the Harry Gwala district of KZN was the scene of a tragic accident and heroic rescue earlier today.
Earlier today KZN Emergency Medical Services paramedics were dispatched to a report of an accident on the R56 just outside of the small town of Umzimkulu. When they arrived on scene they found that the vehicle involved in the accident was in a river, after reportedly leaving the road, which crosses the river over a bridge.
The car was half submerged in the water, but the paramedics who arrived first on scene, realized they were the drivers only hope of survival so they scrambled down the steep embankment, entered the river and rescued the man from in the car and brought him to the bank of the river where they immediately started treating the man who was in a critical condition.
However his condition worsened and resuscitation efforts had to be initiated. They were met on scene by and Advanced Life Support paramedic who took over management of the patient. However unfortunately the patient was declared dead on scene as he didn’t respond to the treatment and extensive resuscitation efforts provided by the team of paramedics.
The cause of the accident is being investigated and is subject to police comment.
I would like to commend the paramedics involved for their heroic actions.
Thank you
Robert Mckenzie
KZN EMS
