A German paraglider who was airlifted to hospital after crashing into Lion’s Head on Tuesday has reportedly died from his injuries.
The man believed to have been a solo recreational pilot and a member of the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (Sahpa) reportedly died on Wednesday morning.
Several emergency services responded to the call of the accident and provided advanced life support to the victim.
“He was treated and provided with advanced life support interventions before he was airlifted to Groote Schuur Hospital for urgent care,” said ER24.
Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) who assisted with the helicopter rescue said the tricky part was getting the patient down from the mountains, as it proved very technical.
“A small WSAR team on board the rescue helicopter was flown to the accident site and hoisted down to the patient.
“He was placed onto a stretcher, and short-hauled from the scene, together with the rescuers. The short-haul technique involves hanging the rescue team from a purpose-made strop, or rope, from under the helicopter, for a short distance,” WSAR said in a statement.
According to police spokesperson, FC Van Wyk the 47-year-old foreign national died at a nearby hospital at 05:00 on Wednesday after being involved in a paragliding incident.
Van Wyk said Woodstock police were investigating an inquest case.
Meanwhile, SAHPA chairperson, Louis Stanford said the deceased was a solo recreational pilot and a member of SAHPA, which was bound by the Civil Aviation Act and associated regulation, the report said.
“The reason for this accident is unknown, but will be investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority,” the report quoted Stanford as saying.