HEMS delivers critical care in time of need for mining giant group: Implants

RUSTENBURG – Monday evening HEMS received a call of a mass casualty incident at one of the mines in the Rustenburg area. Several ambulances as well as Advanced Life Support Paramedics were immediately dispatched to the mine to assist in providing the necessary medical service needed.

Together with other emergency services ,crew worked tirelessly through out the night and early morning to treat and transport all the injured patients. A total of 75 patients with injuries ranging from moderate to serious were treated on scene, all the patients were transported to several nearby hospitals for further treatment. Tragically 11 mine employees lost their lives in this serious accident.

“Implats explains that 11 Shaft personnel conveyance was hoisting employees to surface at the end of their shift. The conveyance unexpectedly started descending. It’s rapid descent was stopped by the conveyance counterweight becoming trapped by the jack catches. All emergency protocols were observed during the event and paramedics and our proto (search and rescue) teams were
immediately mobilised. ”

Investigations into the cause of the incident have commenced.
Thank you to all rescue and medical services on scene as well as all hospital staff it has been a remarkable collaboration during a time of crisis.