NELSPRUIT 30 April 2012, 11:45
A free climber sustained serious injuries this afternoon following a incident on a hill near Nelspruit.
The man, aged 29, was climbing a wall when he griped a large boulder. The boulder the allegedly slipped and the man fell. The boulder then landed on the man.
ER24 paramedics, local law enforcement officials, members from the Nelspruit off road rescue unit and members from the public all hiked the three and a half kilometres from the nearest road to assist the injured man. When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene they found the man in severe pain.
The patient received treatment at the scene for a deep laceration to his face as well as a injury to his lower back. The patient was then carried to a open area. A farmer from the local community was kind enough to fly his private helicopter to the incident. The man was later airlifted to Mediclinic Nelspruit for further care.
ER24 would like to thank all the parties involved who assisted with the rescue efforts in safely getting the injured free climber to a hospital.
Andre Visser, ER24