Teacher critical after skydiving accident

File photo: Liza van Deventer

File photo: Liza van Deventer

Published Feb 25, 2013

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Johannesburg - A young teacher from Johannesburg is in a critical condition in hospital, after a skydiving accident near Carletonville, Beeld reported on Monday.

Mariette Loubser, 25, from Winchester Hills , in the south of Johannesburg, did a static line jump from 3600 feet with the Johannesburg Skydiving Club (JSC) on Saturday, which was her second skydiving attempt.

“She did a very good jump from the plane,” said Eugene Potgieter, the club chairman.

“After her parachute opened, it began to spin.”

Loubser tore her left lung in two places, broke eight ribs, fractured her pelvis in two places, and cracked her left leg. She also cracked vertebrae in her neck and back, and suffered bleeding on the brain.

She was rushed to the Milpark Hospital by helicopter, where emergency surgery was carried out.

Gert Loubser, Mariette's father, said he was very concerned about the lack of emergency assistance available at the landing site.

“The club should have been able to help her immediately, it was terrible to have to wait,” he said.

According to Gert Loubser, the family had to wait 30 minutes for assistance. - Sapa

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