Joint Statement by Health Minister Pierre Uys and Head of Health Department, Prof. KC Househam

A helicopter crash of the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Services between Uniondale and George and a tragic car accident on the N2 near Heidelberg claimed the lives of four staff from our Emergency Medical Services at the weekend. 'The tragic loss of life has been a great shock to us all and I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those who died', says Minister Pierre Uys, Minister of Health in the Western Cape.

Two of the four EMS staff were brothers, Mr Denver and Mr Granville Hartnick who were amongst 8 people killed in a head-on collision on the N2, near Heidelberg. The other two, Mr Paul Alexander and Mr Carlo Juries were in the helicopter transporting a nine-year-old, a seriously injured, car-collision victim, from Uniondale to George, when the helicopter crashed. The pilot, Mr Jeremy Wood, on contract to the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Services, was also killed. The nine-year old victim is Ms Madison Muller.

The loss of four Emergency medical staff members - people, who have dedicated their lives to save others, is a particular blow to our emergency medical services', says Prof Keith Craig Househam, Superintendent General of the Department of Health. The Minister visited Oudtshoorn last week and personally spoke to the paramedics and staff of the emergency services air wing and thanked them for their dedication and hard work.

Issued by:
The Directorate Communications
Office of the Superintendent of Health, Western Cape
Department of Health

Herman van der Westhuizen
Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of Health
+27 483 2627
Faiza Steyn
Director: Communications
Tel: +27 21 483 3235