IPSS Search & Rescue and IPSS Medical Rescue responded to a construction site on Zen Drive following reports of a sand bank collapsing. Four contractors died while one survived. | IPSS Search & Rescue
Durban — IPSS Search & Rescue which responded to the Ballito construction site collapse has recognised some of the heroes behind the scene.
On Saturday morning, IPSS Search & Rescue and IPSS Medical Rescue responded to a construction site on Zen Drive following reports of a sand bank collapsing. On arrival, it was reported that five contractors were trapped beneath the sand.
Following the incident, IPSS Medical Rescue and IPSS Search and Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick said with the quick arrival of the KwaDukuza Municipality Fire Department, rescuers quickly worked to find the missing contractors. However, the scene was soon declared unsafe, with the bank continuing to collapse around rescuers.
Meyrick said that with the arrival of additional resources from Community Emergency Response Team (Cert) Tongaat, Durban Metro Police Search & Rescue, EMRS, eThekwini Fire Department, SAPS Search & Rescue, and SAPS K9 Search & Rescue, teams were able to assess the scene.
She said a call was made to private individuals and companies and the requested construction equipment, including a TLB, quickly arrived on site, allowing the recovery efforts to continue.
“Rescuers were able to locate the first four victims, who were sadly all declared deceased on the scene. On discovery of the fifth victim, it was found that the man had miraculously survived almost six hours buried beneath the sand. While under the care of IPSS Medical advanced life support paramedics, the rescuers worked almost three hours to extricate the severely entrapped man, who was then transported to a suitable facility for further care,” Meyrick said.
In a Facebook post on Monday morning, Meyrick said little did they realise the extent of the recovery operation that would take place with a miracle thrown in for a family and to uplift the spirits of rescuers after a gruelling day.
“But we have to recognise some of the heroes behind the scenes, who made this day possible,” Meyrick said.
This is what Meyrick had to say to and about Saturday’s heroes:
Meyrick added: “Thank you to EMRS, KDM Fire Department, KDM Community Safety, Umhlali SAPS, Durban Metro Police Search & Rescue, CERT KZN Air Mercy Service (AMS), SAPS Search & Rescue, SAPS K9 Search & Rescue, eThekwini Fire Department, KZN Disaster Management, NSRI, IPSS Electronic Security and anyone else we have not mentioned for giving your time on Saturday.”
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