logo
Hiker critically injured in 18m fall in Sedgefield

Hiker critically injured in 18m fall in Sedgefield

IOL News10 hours ago

Gericke's Point and the pristine beaches. Gericke's Point.
Image: File
THE NSRI has hailed the Good Samaritans who came to the rescue of a fellow hiker who was critically injured when he fell between 15 and 18 meters at Gericke's Point, Sedgefield.
Having witnessed the fall on Saturday, the hikers rendered first aid to the unresponsive and seriously injured adult man while raising the alarm.
NSRI Wilderness duty coxswain Ian Gerber said the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was activated by EMS Metro control.
'The patient was stabilised by paramedics and secured into a Stokes basket stretcher and carried about 200 meters to an accessible area for the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter. The bystander Good Samaritans are commended for rendering assistance to the casualty and for swiftly raising the alarm.'
In another rescue, Gerber said the NSRI Wilderness duty crew was activated following a request for assistance from a local mother reporting her 2 children and their grandfather being trapped by the Spring high tide on rocks at Flat Rock, Wilderness.
'They had been fishing on Flat Rock when the incoming Spring high tide cut them off from mainland and the alarm was raised. Our NSRI rescue vehicle, NSRI rescue swimmers and George Fire and Rescue Services responded.'
Armed with extra life-jackets and rope, two NSRI rescue swimmers were dispatched to wade and swim through the surf zone to the rock.
'The 3 casualties, a grandfather aged 72 and the 2 boys, ages 10 and 15, were safe on the rock, in good spirits, with their fishing gear, but unable to get back to the shore through the surf. Our NSRI rescue swimmers secured the 3 casualties into life-jackets and a rope extrication system was rigged.'
They were safely brought to the shore in the care of the NSRI rescue swimmers without incident.
Cape Times

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hiker critically injured in 18m fall in Sedgefield
Hiker critically injured in 18m fall in Sedgefield

IOL News

time10 hours ago

  • IOL News

Hiker critically injured in 18m fall in Sedgefield

Gericke's Point and the pristine beaches. Gericke's Point. Image: File THE NSRI has hailed the Good Samaritans who came to the rescue of a fellow hiker who was critically injured when he fell between 15 and 18 meters at Gericke's Point, Sedgefield. Having witnessed the fall on Saturday, the hikers rendered first aid to the unresponsive and seriously injured adult man while raising the alarm. NSRI Wilderness duty coxswain Ian Gerber said the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was activated by EMS Metro control. 'The patient was stabilised by paramedics and secured into a Stokes basket stretcher and carried about 200 meters to an accessible area for the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter. The bystander Good Samaritans are commended for rendering assistance to the casualty and for swiftly raising the alarm.' In another rescue, Gerber said the NSRI Wilderness duty crew was activated following a request for assistance from a local mother reporting her 2 children and their grandfather being trapped by the Spring high tide on rocks at Flat Rock, Wilderness. 'They had been fishing on Flat Rock when the incoming Spring high tide cut them off from mainland and the alarm was raised. Our NSRI rescue vehicle, NSRI rescue swimmers and George Fire and Rescue Services responded.' Armed with extra life-jackets and rope, two NSRI rescue swimmers were dispatched to wade and swim through the surf zone to the rock. 'The 3 casualties, a grandfather aged 72 and the 2 boys, ages 10 and 15, were safe on the rock, in good spirits, with their fishing gear, but unable to get back to the shore through the surf. Our NSRI rescue swimmers secured the 3 casualties into life-jackets and a rope extrication system was rigged.' They were safely brought to the shore in the care of the NSRI rescue swimmers without incident. Cape Times

Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster
Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster

Eyewitness News

time3 days ago

  • Eyewitness News

Deadly Eastern Cape floods declared a national disaster

Mongezi Koko 26 June 2025 | 10:53 Eastern Cape EMS team members recovered another body on 24 June 2025, following flooding in the province earlier in June. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN JOHANNESBURG - Government has now officially declared the deadly floods in the Eastern Cape a national disaster, opening the door for greater support and funding from Treasury. The announcement was made by Eastern Cape COGTA MEC Zolile Williams during a briefing in Mthatha on Thursday, confirming that what was previously classified as a disaster has now been formally gazetted under the Disaster Management Act. The move follows a comprehensive damage assessment, with infrastructure losses estimated at around R5 billion, with more than 4,700 people homeless. ALSO READ: • Search and rescue teams in Mthatha anticipate difficult conditions as cold front moves in • As govt works on emergency relief measures for EC, Godongwana warns against inflating of prices • EC flooding rescuers alarmed by govt's delayed reporting on discovery of bodies • Call for improved measures to deal with disasters So far, the death toll is 101 and is expected rise as search and recovery operations continue. The declaration paves the way for national government intervention, including additional funding, technical support and emergency resources for the hardest-hit communities. MEC Williams said that it would help the province fast-track recovery but warned that the impact of the floods would be felt for months to come. "The declaration made in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 comes amid heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds and snowfall that have battered parts of the country, with the Eastern Cape being the hardest hit."

Though forecast points to icy winter solstice plunge, do it for NSRI heroes
Though forecast points to icy winter solstice plunge, do it for NSRI heroes

The Herald

time21-06-2025

  • The Herald

Though forecast points to icy winter solstice plunge, do it for NSRI heroes

Many of us will have a well-deserved lie-in this Saturday, but a few brave and somewhat crazy souls will be at waters edge to take a winter solstice plunge into some rather icy water, if the latest forecast is correct. Throughout the world there are numerous traditions surrounding the equinox and solstice, most having some or other pagan origin and linked to agricultural activities. In the northern hemisphere, Yuletide and Christmas are related, as any crossword enthusiast will know, yet are not the same. Though occurring at a similar time, with similar traditions, Yuletide is a Germanic pagan celebration of the lengthening of days, while Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. The overlap is because of Yule traditions being incorporated into the celebration of Christmas as it evolved, such as the giving of gifts and decorating evergreen trees. Maybe that is where the tradition of Christmas in July developed in the southern hemisphere, though it should theoretically be in June if it is to align with northern hemisphere tradition. Though there are many completely sober as well as not-so-sober swimmers who take on the winter polar plunge, clothed and unclothed, this is not a long-held traditional event, but more of a modern fun activity. The NSRI has encouraged the public to take the polar plunge as part of its fundraising drive, with all the details on its various social media platforms, such as Facebook. These volunteers provide an essential service to the public and we should support them as far as we can. Those that are not close to the ocean often take the plunge in swimming pools, rivers, lakes and even farm dams. In Nieu-Bethesda, some local women skinny dip in an old-fashioned cement farm dam/reservoir with the permanent resident, named Beverley, a plastic sculpture, in the centre of the dam. I have it on good authority that there is plenty of Tequila and Old Brown Sherry linked to this event, with the effects being quickly dispelled by those icy waters. Believe me, it gets extremely cold there and they might even have to endure a snowfall this time around. They say a cold water plunge rejuvenates body, mind and soul, though I have a friend who believes it is a dangerous exercise. She advises immersing your wrists in the cold water before taking the plunge to prevent your body from going into shock, and save you from a heart attack. Though I don't think this is a medical fact. There is often the argument as to when the seasons begin and end. Possibly this is because the winter solstice is officially considered to be the beginning of astronomical winter (as opposed to meteorological winter, which starts about three weeks before the solstice). This is why keen gardeners and farmers mark the solstice in their almanac as the first day of winter. The summer solstice is then the first day of summer and the equinoxes the beginning of spring and autumn. It is interesting to note that the word solstice comes from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). Loosely translated, it means 'Sun stands still', like the Afrikaans word for solstice, sonstilstand . The reason for this is that the ancients observed that the Sun's path across the sky appeared to freeze for a few days before and after the solstice. The change in its noontime elevation is so slight that the Sun's path seems to stay the same or stand still. Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland, as well as several Egyptian temples, including the Temple of Amun-Ra at Karnak, are aligned with the winter solstice. This was their indicator of the timing of their agricultural pursuits and a good excuse for some or other festivity. A nice little exercise to try with the young ones, and especially for teachers to try with their pupils to explain the solstice, is a simple shadow marking exercise. On Saturday, get them to stand outside at midday and measure the length of their shadow. It will be the longest that it will be all year. At the summer solstice at midday, there will be almost no shadow. This week in history: 2002: Extreme cold in Bedford results in one fatality. Dam levels 69.79%, slightly up from previous week's 69.01%. Impofu down to 51.45%. Weather safety tips: The NSRI warns that it is always wise not to take the polar plunge or any other water-related activity alone. Always take somebody with you in case you run into trouble. Besides, it's always nice to have company. Now on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: WEATHER GURU Email: info@ with feedback or requests The Herald

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store