Paraglider rescued after crash at Gericke's Point

SEDGEFIELD NEWS - A 67-year-old paraglider from Somerset West was injured after crashing onto the rocks at Gericke’s Point on Saturday 31 January.

NSRI Wilderness crew in Sedgefield, who were conducting training nearby at Myoli Beach when they were alerted, dispatched NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Rotary and Ann Stratford to the scene along the rocky shoreline at Gericke’s Point.

Rescue swimmers swam ashore from the rescue craft and started medical care on the paraglider.

An NSRI paramedic, NSRI medics and local Sedgefield community volunteer paramedics joined them and the paraglider, seriously injured, was stabilised.

He was secured into a Stokes basket stretcher and carried along the coastline to the NSRI rescue vehicle, which transported him to a waiting ER24 ambulance that took him to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The paraglider was discharged from hospital on Tuesday 3 February.

He has expressed his deep appreciation for the swift response and the care of all involved in his rescue and recovery.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon commended the response and co-operation of the emergency services, the local Sedgefield community volunteer emergency services and NSRI Wilderness.

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