Скачать или смотреть Police helicopter in successful operation

​‪@grandgreatstuff‬ It was the art of navigating a helicopter through the mountainous terrain of the Eastern Free State that brought the police to a successful and professional operation of retrieving a decomposed body of an unknown male estimated to be between 25 and 35 years old.

This #SearchAndRescue operation was conducted at the Thaba Bosiu mountains in the Free State, near the KwaZulu-Natal border at Bergville.

Police helicopters and the Sasolburg Search and Rescue Unit were deployed to retrieve the body of an unknown male discovered by local hunters between slippery cliffs.

According to police, from Wednesday to Friday, police Airwing pilots from the Free State and Gauteng worked tirelessly to assist Namahadi police in removing the decomposed body from the mountain. The operation was initially delayed for two days due to poor weather conditions, making it difficult to manoeuvre in the mountainous terrain. The scene, located approximately eight kilometres from the nearest villages, was inaccessible to vehicles.

The Free State Airwing Unit was activated, with Lieutenant Colonel Khonou (pilot), Sergeant Campbell, and Constable Tshabalala flying to the scene to attempt the retrieval. However, due to weather conditions and the type of helicopter initially available, they were unable to reach the site. Lt Col Khonou contacted colleagues from the Gauteng Airwing Unit, who arranged for a more suitable helicopter for the terrain. Adverse weather, including mist, prevented flights on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday, 8 August 2025, at around 11:00, the team returned to the mountain with the Sasolburg Search and Rescue Unit. By approximately 15:00, the body of a male, estimated to be between 25 and 35 years old, was recovered. The deceased was wearing black and red track pants labelled “LS” in white and red, along with a camouflage top. The body was in an advanced stage of decomposition, and no visible injuries were noted.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death, and an inquest case is under investigation. The identity of the deceased remains unknown.

Anyone who may have lost a family member or has information that could assist in identifying the deceased is urged to contact Namahadi Police Station, Detective Warrant Officer Nhlapo on 078 116 1241 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
#searchandrescue
#police
#freestate
#mountains
#community