Helicopter crash into Crocodile River

Brits – Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) responded to a distress call after a helicopter crashed near Brits on Sunday morning, 10 January.

According to HEMS’s report, an Alouette ll helicopter carrying three people crashed into the Crocodile River. The pilot of the helicopter managed to free himself from the wreckage and called for help. 

The two passengers were still trapped in the wreckage when HEMS arrived on scene. The pilot was transported to a hospital in Brits and a rescue attempt for the passengers was set into motion. Braving the crocodile infested waters, HEMS medics with the assistance of bystanders managed to free one of passengers. The patient was placed on spinal motion restriction equipment and carried out of the river. 
The patient sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital. Sadly, the second passenger was declared dead on scene.