8 hurt in helicopter crash

Eight people were injured on Sunday afternoon following a helicopter crash on the N1 highway on Du Toitskloof between Worcester and Paarl.

The Du Toitskloof Pass was closed after the military chopper crashed into overhead power lines, Western Cape provincial traffic authorities said.

The crash happened on the Worcester side of the pass, Western Cape Traffic Chief Kenny Africa said.

“Apparently the chopper crashed into overhead power cables.”

There were no fatalities although eight occupants were slightly injured, he said.

The helicopter is a South

African Air Force Oryx.

Road users were asked to use alternative routes from Worcester to Cape Town via Villiersdorp, Grabouw, Wolseley, Tulbagh or Wellington.

ER24 paramedics, along with several other services, arrived on the scene to find a large helicopter lying across the entire highway. Debris from the helicopter was spread across the scene, said ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring.

“Eight people were found to be injured. One had sustained serious injuries while seven others had sustained minor to moderate injuries,” he said.

“Paramedics treated the patients and provided the seriously injured with advanced life support interventions before they were transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.”