A rescue operation in Hillcrest, Durban, lasted for over six hours when an off road motorbike rider had to be evacuated after he fell down a cliff.
The incident took place this afternoon in the Valley of a Thousand Hills when the rider, believed to be from Johannesburg, took part in a sporting event in the area. It is not clear exactly why the man crashed down the embankment, but it’s understood that he dropped for approximately 600 meters down the steep slope of the mountainous terrain.
Paramedics were called to the scene to assist the injured rider. Due to the rough terrain and unmarked dirt roads paramedics had to be escorted by a local guide in the area. Once they managed to reach the location they identified that it would be too risky to try and carry the patient up the embankment as paramedics had to walk majority of the route to access the patient. The paramedics contacted the South African Police Services (SAPS) to assist with the rescue. The SAPS rescue helicopter managed to evacuate the patient to an area where he could be treated and stabilised before being loaded into an awaiting ambulance.
Fortunately the rider did not sustain any critical injuries and was treated for injuries to his shoulder and legs.
ER24