Alouette II accident in South Africa
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:35 am
From African Pilot:
On Sunday morning at around 11h45 HEMS received a call about a helicopter crash where an Alouette II ZU-RAJ with a pilot and two passengers landed up in the Crocodile River just outside Brits. The pilot of the helicopter managed to free himself from the wreckage and call for assistance. When HEMS arrived on the scene two passengers were still trapped in the wreckage. Whilst the pilot was transported to hospital in Brits the rescue motion to free the two trapped passengers. Whilst this was all happening crocodiles were noticed in the area. With the assistance of bystanders HEMS medics were able to free one of the passengers and the patient was placed onto a spine board and carried out of the river. The patients sustained serious injuries and was airlifted by emergency medical helicopter. Unfortunately the other passenger was declared dead on the scene, probably through drowning. Our condolences to the family and friends. It is understood that this helicopter was based at Brits airfield and the new owner had only owned the Alouette II for about three months.