Rescue workers had a tough job when they had to rescue a man who was injured after he had fallen down a steep cliff and landed on some slippery rocks.
Marcia Brown, Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) Executive Officer, reported that an HPP officer on patrol in the area near Swallow Park in Hermanus, was one of the first people on scene on Friday 24 January.
“Some of the homeless people who saw the man fall told the officer what had happened,” she stated. “Apparently the man, who is also homeless, was busy doing his washing when he fell off the rocks. The HPP officer realised how serious the situation was and alerted our control room and other authorities. He stayed with the injured man until he was taken to hospital by ambulance.”
Overstrand Municipality firefighters, Western Cape EMS rescue technicians, the local police and NSRI Hermanus all responded to the scene.
Jean du Plessis, the NSRI Hermanus duty coxswain, said it was initially believed that the man had fallen into the water.
The local man had fallen approximately 5-6 metres down the steep cliff before landing on the rocks.
“NSRI medics and crew joined the police, Metro rescue, CMC ambulance services and Overstrand Fire and Rescue Services on the scene where the local adult male was stabilised by paramedics, secured into a stretcher and then carried up the steps before being transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition,” according to Du Plessis. Brown added that the man had reportedly broken his wrist and clavicle. He had since been discharged from hospital.
