Cape Town - The family of a Seattle woman who was critically injured in a paragliding incident off Signal Hill last week has launched a campaign to raise $35 000 (R560 000) for her care.
Brittany “Bri” Siguenza, 24, was paragliding when her instructor apparently lost control, causing the pair to hit a concrete wall close to the Sea Point Promenade.
The woman, originally from Guam, suffered serious head and neck injuries, with ER24 paramedics providing her with advanced life support intervention. She is recovering at Chris Barnard Memorial Hospital after undergoing brain surgery.
Siguenza’s instructor suffered a fracture to his arm and was transported to a different private hospital. The SA Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (Sahpa) is currently investigating the cause of the accident. Sahpa confirmed that the company involved in the incident is Para-Pax Paragliding, which was established in 2001.
The company’s licence has been suspended pending the outcome of the Sahpa investigation. Siguenza’s family has managed to raise $39 450 (R665 275) in five days since the campaign was launched.
Updates posted by the woman’s family explain that she was recovering well after her brain surgery. A post read: “No surgery was needed around her heart and the facial reconstruction and orthopaedic surgeries are going on now. This is good news and a Godly intervention. We can breathe a little bit. Please continue praying for healing and recovery. It is working. We love and appreciate you all. God bless you.”
The family also stated online that two members would travel to South Africa to be at Siguenza’s side.
“Love, prayers and support continue to pour in from communities across the world as news outlets from Guam to Seattle are reporting on her accident. Even strangers who do not know Bri are beginning to learn about her and her wonderful spirit,” the statement read.
Cape Argus