On 15 October, the ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ฒ (๐๐ฅ๐๐) received a MAYDAY distress signal from a light aircraft in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. A second aircraft was also reported missing shortly thereafter. Despite misty conditions and difficult terrain, both aircraft were located within 24 hours – one near Nottingham Road, the other north of Boston. Sadly, both pilots were found deceased.
๐ฆ.๐ง.๐.๐ฅ.๐ง. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ was honoured to support this multi-agency search and rescue (SAR) operation, led by the ๐ฆ๐๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐ and coordinated by the ๐๐ฅ๐๐ under the ๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐๐ณ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฟ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป (๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ).
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the pilots, and salute the tireless efforts of all involved:
– ARCC & ATNS
– SAPS Search and Rescue
– SARZA KZN
– Mountain SAR
– HAMNET
– K9SARA
– Midlands EMS
– IPSS Search and Rescue
– Freddies Fire Services
– Clandestine Drone Operations
– KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport
– START Rescue
This mission reflects the strength of South Africa’s emergency response network and the power of collaboration in times of crisis. We remain committed to supporting SAR operations and public safety across the province.
๐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ-๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ: ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ญ ๐ต๐ฐ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ฌ๐ณ๐ฌ
#STARTRescue #SARZA
