Two seafarers, injured during rough sea conditions, were evacuated from the bulk carrier KS Flora on June 6 off the coast of East London.
The 41-year-old male Filipino and the 27-year-old male from Manila needed urgent evacuation after suffering a fractured left leg, suspected to be a fractured Tibila and Fibula, and a left ankle injury, respectively.
South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) helicopter rendezvoused with the ship 7 nautical miles off the coast of East London in rough seas with 3 to 4-meter swells and a 15 to 20-knot Easterly wind.
The men were stabilised onboard the vessel and hoisted into the helicopter. They were then airlifted to East London Airport and taken into the care of Aldersons Ambulance Services.
The sailors were transported to a hospital in stable conditions for further treatment, NSRI informed.