Emergency Medical Services (EMS) respond to 5 288 incidents over the weekend

A total of 5 288 incidents were responded to by the Western Cape Government Health’s (WCGH’s) EMS during the past weekend. The top ten incident types included non-cardiac pain (870); weapon assault (682); respiratory complaints (500); obstetric complaints (308); physical assault (275); abdominal complaints (274); vomiting/diarrhoea (274); neurological complaints (230); musculoskeletal complaints (212) and accidental domestic injury (169).

There were 209 transport-related incidents. One of the incidents was a fatal motor vehicle crash, which occurred 5km from Leeu Gamka, in the direction of Beaufort West on the N1 at 12:13 on Sunday, 13 March. Sadly, two adult males sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene of the accident. Another adult male sustained minor injuries and declined to be transported to hospital. Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) officials were on scene and recovered the bodies of the deceased.

Most patients were transported to the Tygerberg, Worcester and Swartland Hospitals. 
 

EMS Assists at the Cape Town Cycle Tour – 13 March 2022

EMS officials were stationed at various points along the route of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the world’s largest timed race. A few participants were treated and transported to medical points, as well as various hospitals. WCGH’s EMS provided 8 motorcycles, 2 doctors in response vehicles from the Emergency Medicine unit, 31 ambulances, 3 fleet vehicles, 6 HealthNet vehicles, 4 Rescue vehicles, 2 Managers in response vehicles and 1 response vehicle from the Special Events unit. EMS officials were on duty from 04:00 to 17:00 yesterday. 
 

Monday morning operations

At 06:58 this morning, the EMS team in the Cape Winelands District responded to a motor vehicle crash 2km after the Du Toit Lodge in the direction of Worcester. Two Rescue vehicles, three WCGH EMS ambulances and five private ambulance services responded to the incident. The incident involved 17 patients, 16 sustained minor injuries and 1 sustained serious injuries. The patients were transported to Paarl and Worcester Provincial Hospitals.

Another motor vehicle crash occurred 08:35 this morning, 10km outside of Worcester. 2 WCGH ambulances and 1 Rescue vehicle was dispatched, as well as 3 private ambulance services. A total of 7 patients were involved in the incident, 6 sustained serious injuries and sadly, 1 sustained fatal injuries. The survivors were transported to Worcester Provincial Hospital. 
 

We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of all the deceased patients.