Edited by Bev Mortimer: Yesterday, 18 March, NSRI rescue services reported that an ill fisherman is recovering in hospital after a critical medical episode.
Louwrens Bezuidenhout, deputy station commander at NSRI St Francis Bay Station 21, related that just after 6 am, 17 March, NSRI St Francis Bay volunteer duty crew were activated following a request for urgent medical assistance from the skipper of a local chokka fishing boat reporting a 53 year-old crewman onboard who had collapsed unconscious. The local St Francis NSRI duty crew responded to Station 21 rescue base to prepare to launch the NSRI rescue craft and REMS (Rapid Emergency Medical Services) were activated.
The chokka boat with the ill fisherman that was about 1.7 nautical miles offshore at that stage and reported the condition of the patient had deteriorated and the boat was heading towards the local Port St Francis at best speed.
On arrival at the quayside NSRI medics boarded the vessel where CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were commenced on the fisherman. NSRI medics were joined by REMS paramedics and following extensive CPR efforts a pulse and spontaneous breathing was restored.
The patient was transported to hospital in a critical condition by REMS ambulance. In hospital, in the care of doctors and nurses, the patients condition stabilised.
Although the patient remains in a serious condition there are indications that he will recover. and was due to be sent to a specialised hospital unit in Gqeberha.
NSRI commended the skipper and crew of the chokka fishing vessel for their quick actions in bringing the patient to shore and the extensive efforts of the NSRI St Francis Bay crew, plus REMS ambulance services and hospital staff were thanked for their care of the patient. “Our thoughts and care are with the patient, his family and colleagues, in this difficult time,” the NSRI said.
St Francis Chronicle 