Fisherman rescued after serious cliff fall in Garden Route

A George fisherman (50) was rescued in a challenging operation after falling and injuring himself while hiking back towards his vehicle at the Gwaiing river mouth on Saturday.

The incident occurred at 14:29 when the man, who was fishing with his son and a friend, slipped and fell at least 10m from the ledge, landing between the rocks.

Mike Vonk, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Wilderness station commander, says the man sustained severe injuries and was unable to move. Emergency services were immediately alerted.

A co-ordinated response was initiated, involving NSRI Wilderness rescue crew, George Fire and Rescue Services, Western Cape Government Health EMS rescue squad and ER24 ambulance services. Upon arrival, paramedics found the injured man and began medical treatment.

Due to the challenging location, the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was activated and the NSRI crew assisted in preparing a landing zone at the Gwaiing campsite.

“In a well-executed technical rescue, the helicopter deployed a Baumann’s basket stretcher, which was hoisted down to the paramedics. The patient was secured in the stretcher and airlifted to the landing zone, where he was further stabilised before being transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance,” says Vonk.

The man remains in a serious but stable condition.

The NSRI commended the emergency services for their swift and professional response in rescuing the injured fisherman from the difficult terrain.