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Fisherman saved after accident
10/07/2007 14:19 - (SA)
Cape Town - A Mossel Bay fisherman who jumped overboard to free himself from a rope lacerating his leg was rescued on Tuesday, the National Sea Rescue Institute said.
NSRI Mossel Bay deputy station commander Lance van der Au said the fishing vessel Waterbaby had put out a call for medical assistance for a fisherman on board with a leg injury.
A rescue craft accompanied by a netcare 911 paramedic was dispatched to the scene.
The patient, 34-year-old Kevin Lottering from Beaufort West, was found to be in a stable but serious condition and was transported to hospital.
Lottering was suffering from hypothermia and a 5cm laceration, about 1cm deep, on his right upper leg.
"According to the Viking Fishing Company the crew aboard Waterbaby were letting out rope when the vessel was rocked by the swell and a section of the rope wrapped around Lottering's leg and began to squeeze tight around his leg as the rope pulled tighter.
"To free himself of the rope he jumped overboard allowing enough slack on the rope to get himself free from the section that had wrapped around his leg.
"Under the circumstances, according to the account of the accident, he did the right thing to preventing a more severe injury," said Van der Au.
Lottering was reported to be in good spirits in hospital.
- SAPA
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