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Tragedy struck on Thursday afternoon, 21 January 2021, when a medical helicopter crashed near Bergville, sadly resulting in the pilot’s death and four healthcare workers.
Following the heart-breaking event, Chief executive officer of Netcare, Dr Richard Friedland says, “There are no words adequate to describe our sense of profound loss and grief at this terrible time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”
He stresses that Netcare 911 extends its condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of Dr Kgopotso Rudolph Mononyane, an anaesthetist, Dr Curnick Siyabongo Mahlangu a cardiothoracic surgeon and Mpho Xaba, a specialist theatre nurse for cardiothoracic and transplant—all from Netcare Milpark Hospital; as well as Sinjin Joshua Farrance, an advanced life support paramedic at Netcare 911, and the pilot of the helicopter, Mark Stoxreiter who worked for National Airways Corporation.
Dr Friedland expounds on the incident, by explaining that the specialised ECMO intensive care transfer team from Netcare Milpark, Johannesburg, Netcare 911 were aboard Netcare 1 Air Ambulance en-route to Hillcrest, KZN.
They were meant to transfer a critically ill patient from hillcrest to Netcare Milpark Hospital for specialised ECMO care.
Looking at the matter, Dr Friedland emphasises, “We are shocked beyond words at the tragic loss of these healthcare heroes. The whole of Netcare falls silent as we bow our heads in tribute, respect, love and memory of our fallen colleagues and frontline workers who have died in the line of duty.
As the medical sector deals with the tragic loss, Pixelfish Marketing and Newcastillian – Online News extends its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who passed away.
Image credit: @Netcare911_sa (Twitter)
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