Woman still in Mossel Bay hospital after rescue

A 32-year-old woman was still being treated at Life Bay View Private Hospital this week for multiple injuries after she was rescued from below the St Blaize hiking trail last on August 1.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness assistant director for communications, Byron la Hoe, said the woman was injured on her head, arms, hand and legs after she fell 30 metres down a cliff.

On Tuesday Life Bay View Hospital spokesperson Nancy Ekkerd said the woman is in a stable condition.

According to Ekkerd she underwent all the necessary operations and is currently still in the intensive care unit, ‘but her physical recovery seems positive’.

Mossel Bay Municipality told Mossel Bay Advertiser last week Thursday that a Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management crew responded to a call about a missing person on the St Blaize hiking trail, near the Van Riebeeck Stadium.

The crew assisted the police from about 09:00 in the search for the woman.

Lizelle Crous of Mossel Bay Helicopters was called to assist in the search.

She sent out her thermal drone to search the area where it was believed the woman had fallen, while another team comprising emergency services personnel, searched the other side of the cliff with another drone.

“After about 15 to 20 minutes of searching with the thermal drone, I picked up heat in some thick bushes. I flew closer and I could see an arm and a hand, and the woman’s hand was moving.

“I immediately called for assistance and the crew went down to rescue her and I guided the rescue team with the drone to the patient. The team did an outstanding job, getting to her in very difficult circumstances and terrain,” said Crous.

Mossel Bay Municipality said the woman was found at about 12:30 and was airlifted by the Skymed helicopter, arriving at the hospital just before 14:00.