UPDATE: Child critical but stable after drowning
LITTLE FOURWAYS - Leslie and Troupant avenues in Little Fourways were closed to traffic at around 7pm on 9 June as a medical helicopter was called to the scene to collect a patient who has been resuscitated from a drowning incident.
Update: 3.45pm on 10 June 2016:
A Facebook page has been set up for Liam Fraser-Bothma, the one-year-old boy who was airlifted to hospital after an accidental drowning incident that took place on the evening of 9 June.
An update on the page stated that Bothma was stable but still in critical condition. Members of the public have used the page to offer their support for the family.
Update: 9.10pm on 9 June 2016:
A one-year-old child was resuscitated and airlifted to hospital after accidentally drowning in a bathtub in the suburb of Little Fourways on the evening of 9 June.
According to Max Cohen, spokesperson for Emer-G-Med, both Emer-G-Med and Netcare911 paramedics responded to the scene and performed CPR on the child before initiating a full advanced life support resuscitation and performing multiple life-saving procedures to get the child’s heart beating.
“After performing CPR for upwards of 30 minutes, paramedics managed to get a pulse back. The Netcare911 Aeromedical Helicopter, which had been on stand-by since paramedics arrived on the scene, was immediately activated to airlift the child who was in a very critical condition,” said Cohen.
He explained that the child was transported by ambulance to the corner of Leslie and Troupant avenues, where the helicopter landed. The helicopter then transported the child to Netcare Garden City Hospital where a team of paediatric intensivists were waiting.
7.38pm on 9 June 2016:
Emer-G-Med paramedics have confirmed that a paediatric patient was successfully resuscitated following a drowning incident in the suburb. Both Emer-G-Med and Netcare 911 paramedics responded to the scene.
More details to follow as more information comes to light, but for now, motorists are urged to avoid the area.
Community members have taken to social media groups to wish the patient well.
@EMER_G_MED & @Netcare911_sa successfully resuscitated paediatric drowning patient in Fourways. Story to follow. pic.twitter.com/Ea3N7U263W
— EMER-G-MED EMS (@EMER_G_MED) June 9, 2016
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