The country and its healthcare personnel are still reeling in shock after yesterday afternoon’s (January 21) helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five Netcare professionals. The crash took place along the N3 highway at the Colenso / Winterton interchange between Ladysmith and Estcourt.
“Netcare is profoundly saddened to confirm the passing of five valued colleagues who tragically died in the line of duty in a helicopter crash near Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Netcare chief executive officer Dr Richard Friedland.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the families, loved ones and colleagues of Dr Kgopotso Rudolph Mononyane, an anaesthetist; Dr Curnick Siyabonga (Sia) Mahlangu, a cardiothoracic surgeon; Mpho Xaba, a specialist theatre nurse for cardiothoracic and transplant (all from Netcare Milpark Hospital); Sinjin Joshua Farrance, an advanced life support paramedic at Netcare 911; as well as the pilot of the helicopter, Mark Stoxreiter, who worked for the National Airways Corporation.”
“The specialised ECMO intensive care rapid transfer team from Netcare Milpark in Johannesburg and Netcare 911 was aboard the Netcare 1 air ambulance en-route to Hillcrest in Natal to transfer a critically ill patient to Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg for specialised ECMO care. We are shocked beyond words at the tragic loss of these healthcare heroes. The whole of Netcare falls silent as we bow our heads in tribute, respect, love and memory of our fallen colleagues and front-line heroes who have died in the line of duty,” added Dr Friedland.
Read initial story: Ladysmith KZN: Netcare helicopter crashes near Ladysmith, killing all aboard
“There are no words adequate to describe our sense of enormous loss and grief at this terrible time. On behalf of Netcare and Netcare 911 management and staff, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families of our colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most difficult time,” commented Craig Grindell, managing director of Netcare 911.
Dr Friedland, Craig Grindell and other senior executives of Netcare and Netcare 911 went to the scene of the accident immediately after being informed of the crash. Netcare confirmed that the cause of the tragic accident will be investigated by the appropriate authorities.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!
