GAUTENG 27 September 2011, 17:00
ER24 paramedics had their hands full this afternoon as Medicopter assistance was required at 2 separate incidents.
The first incident occurred at 17:00 at a stable in Muldersdrift. A 15 year old girl was practicing riding her horse on the stable grounds when her horse suddenly bucked up. The girl was flung from the horse and landed on the ground. The horse then fell on the girl crushing her.
When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene the girl was being treated by concerned bystanders. She was in severe pain. Due to the injuries sustained and the distance to the nearest appropriate medical facility, on-scene paramedics dispatched the ER24 Discovery Medicopter to the scene.
The girl was then treated for suspected back and pelvic injuries before being immobilised to a special board. She was then airlifted to the Life Fourways hospital for further Medical care.
While Medicopter staff was airborne to the stables in Muldersdrift, the ER24 control centre in Johannesburg received a second request for the Medicopter.
A vehicle had left the road on the R533 outside Vanderbijl Park before overturning and ejecting the driver from the vehicle. When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they found a man approximately 10 meters away from the wrecked vehicle. He was the driver and the only occupant in the vehicle.
The man aged 32 had sustained severe injuries to his head, chest and fractures to both his legs. Paramedics stabilised the man at the scene. The man was later airlifted to Union hospital for further medical care. Local law enforcement authorities who attended the scene will be investigating the incident further.
Andre Visser, ER24
