It has become increasingly difficult to write a newsletter for our website as we seem to repeat the same things over and over; but then again our site is about violent crime and the consequences in our communities, so we've been scrounging for news that you may not have heard on the radio or read in the papers [not difficult actually, as most crimes are no longer reported in any form of media as the "advertisers" are sick and tired of "the same old story"]. We are given so little space,[if at all] on air or in print to get our message across, so we hope that you will add this link to your favourites and send it on to EVERYONE you know, including the ex-pats.. violent crime in South Africa and the trauma that goes with it can no longer be ignored! THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS SUPPLIED BY NETCARE 911 AND PUBLICATION ON THE STAND WEBSITE IS WITH THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF mobilemedia@netcare.co.za - Media Liaison: Mark Stokoe or Nick Dollman: 082 446 5640 NETCARE 911 CONTACT INFORMATION:
EMERGENCY NUMBER: 082 911
4 April 2007 Netcare 911 received reports of multiple gunshots being fired near the Sandringham High School. This took place within minutes of a shootout that was reported a few kilometers away in Orange Grove. Netcare 911 paramedics, Hatzola and the Provincial Ambulance Services attended to three gunshot victims at two different scenes related to the same robbery. At the first scene, in Second Street, Orange Grove, paramedics from the Provincial and private ambulance services attended to two victims who were wounded during the shooting spree, at a CIT [Cash in Transit] robbery site. The victims were stabilised and transported to Netcare Milpark Hospital. One homeowner asid he had just parked his car in his garage, when he heard the crash as the robbers used a car to ram the amoured vehicle. Then, he said, he watched from his lounge window as the shooting started. He could not possible count the shots that where fired. It was this man's neighbour who was wounded in the head while walking home. All of this took place in a residential area, outside an old-age home in Orange Grove. By now it was clear that the robbers had fled the scene and the police chased them towards Sandringham. Police used ground and aircrews to pursue the suspects. The second scene attended by the Netcare 911 paramedics, was in Leigh Avenue in Sandringham. One suspect was shot by the police, he was stabilised on scene and transported to hospital in a Netcare 911 ambulance accompanied by the police. On follow up at the Netcare Milpark Hospital, the paramedics [Mark Stokoe and Nick Dollman] were informed by the Trauma Unit staff that the first victim was wounded in the head. He is 86. He was walking back from the Post Office when the incident occurred, although he crouched down, he was hit by a passing bullet and had a gash across his head. The second victim, a security guard [26] was wounded in the abdomen by a bullet or shrapnel. Although the older man is more frail, both patients are in a stable condition. Both are still undergoing treatment. 03 April 2007 On the morning of 3 April 2007, during an attempted hijacking, a pensioner was shot and killed in Booysens, Pretoria. The elderly gentleman had recently been running a shuttle service between Pretoria and Johannesburg. At about 04h00 he was preparing his vehicle to begin his days work - it would appear that once the front gate was opened and he walked back to his house, the attackers entered the premises. The victim was shot in the chest and died at the scene - he was a family member of one of the Netcare 911 staff, the second to be shot and killed in the last 3 weeks and the third in the last 3 months [all in the Pretoria area]. NOTE FROM STAND: Once again, our deepest sympathy to the victim's family & friends, and our grateful thanks to Netcare 911 who are always only a call away! SECURITY GUARD KILLED IN CASH HEIST 02 April 2007 On Monday 02 April, Netcare 911 paramedics were dispatched to a reported shootout in Galaxy Road inside the Linbro Business Park, off Marlboro Drive, Sandton. Paramedics arrived on the scene to find an armed gang had fired on an armoured Coin Cash Van that was inside the office park. Security Guards reacted to the gunfire and tried to block the road to prevent the suspects from escaping. It appears that 3 vehicles sustained accident damage and the armoured vehicle, plus a security bakkie were hit by gunfire. Spent cartridges littered the road. In their violent effort to escape, the gang shot a Maxi Security Guard in the right side of his chest with a high-powered rifle at close range. Paramedics found the man in a critical condition, he was intubated, ventilated and put onto emergency life support. The Netcare 911 Emergency Helicopter was called to the scene and the Flight Doctor arrived within minutes to assist the paramedics. The victim was extremely critical, he had lost virtually his entire blood volume and was too unstable to be airlifted to hospital. The Flight Doctor decided that the victim's best chance of survival was for him to undergo emergency roadside surgery. Despite the efforts of the doctor and the 6 medics, who attempted to resuscitate him, the victim died from his injuries on the scene. NOTE FROM STAND: Our deepest sympathy goes to his family...these men take their lives into their hands every time they start the engines of their vehicles. They are the unsung heroes of our country. 30 March 2007 At approximately 07h55 on 30 March 2007, Netcare 911 responded to a report of a shooting at the Skyview Castle Garage on the Hartebeespoort road, travelling from Sandton towards Hartebeespoort. The victim alleges that he had been attacked by three armed men and that they had hijacked his single cab bakkie. The victim was taken to the garage station by a passing motorist and help was summoned. Paramedics arrived on the scene to find the victim lying on the forecourt of the garage. He had been shot in the right side of his chest. He was in an unstable condition and the Netcare 911 helicopter was called to the scene. The victim was put onto emergency life support and was intubated, ventilated and stabilised at the scene by the Flight Doctor, before being airlifted by the air ambulance to the Pretoria East Hospital for further treatment. 25 March 2007 Violent Crime affect us all! While many of us were fast asleep and safely in bed on the morning of 25 March, Netcare 911 staff in Soweto were involved in an attempted kidnapping/hijacking There were at least 5 hijackers in two vehicles...some armed with guns. Two Netcare 911 staff members were waiting at a petrol station in Diepkloof for a third member of staff to pick them up. They were accosted by several men, who tried to force them into a car. The two female staff members somehow managed to escape from the men and climbed into the car of the the third staff member as she arrived. As they drove away, they were followed by two cars, a white BMW and a maroon Ford. Both vehicles were without number plates. The victims made their way to Diepkloof police station. As they arrived, the attackers, who were following them, ceased their pursuit and disappeared. Netcare 911 has a Trauma Support Division, available to anyone. This Unit was dispatched to the police station to assist the traumatised staff members who were badly affected by the whole incident. They said they were well aware of what would have happened, had they been abducted. 10 SHOOTINGS - ONE WEEKEND! Weekend starting 16 March 2007 During the weekend, starting 16 March 2007, the Netcare 911 Call Centre received numerous calls regarding gun-shot incidents. This resulted in crew members attending to 10 shooting incidents in the Gauteng area. Two SAPS members were airlifted by the Netcare 911 helicopter from two different locations. The first, from an armed robbery in Midrand on Saturday morning [17 March 2007] he was in a critical condition and was airlifted to Netcare Milpark Hospital - another SAPS member was unfortunately killed at the scene. The second member from the other location [Brits] was shot in the neck, his condition was also critical and he was flown to Netcare Montana Hospital. In Midrand on Friday 16 March 2007, another incident resulted in a man being shot in the leg, he was transported to hospital in a stable condition. In yet another incident in the Midrand area, on the same night, a man was shot in the face during a robbery. He was transported to Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in a satisfactory condition, considering the potentially fatal circumstances. In Bassonia - also on Friday 16 March, during an attempted robbery, one victim was shot in the chest, he was transported to Baragwanath Hospital, shortly thereafter, a suspect, who may have been involved in the attempted robbery, was also shot - Mondeor SAPS members were on the scene. Sharpville [Friday, 16 March] was the scene of yet another fatal shooting. And again!!!! During a robbery a young male victim was shot and killed at the University of Johannesburg. Netcare 911 Trauma Counsellors were on the scene to assist distraught family members. Same night, different location - several shots were fired during an attempted robbery in Primrose, Germiston. Thankfully no-one was injured during the incident. Again the wonderful Netcare 911 counsellors were in attendance. Sunday 18 March 2007 - A young lady was shot in the Johannesburg CBD. She was treated on the scene by Netcare 911 paramedics and transported in a stable condition to Johannesburg Hospital.
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