Ranger crashes plane in KNP while in pursuit of poachers
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 8:05 pm
FB :Braam Malherbe
Stephen Whitfield, Regional Ranger in the Kruger National Park, was flying a Foxbat aircraft in pursuit of poachers and behind him, the dogs were deployed from the helicopter. The reason for the smaller aircraft upfront is that it can fly very low; about 100 meters off the ground to try and get the poachers to slow down and hide. Suddenly there was engine failure, Stephen had to crash land the aircraft by stalling it just before it hit the ground obviously going as slow as possible to minimise impact. This was not on a dirt road but rather in the bush. The aircraft skidded along the ground for a few hundred meters after which the front wheel sheared off resulting in the plane nose-diving and somersaulting with Stephen still in the cockpit. When the engine stalled he initiated a mayday call which was received by the helicopter behind him and was already on the ground before he stumbled out of the aircraft. He was then flown to Nelspruit hospital where he had 36 stitches in his head. Personally I think he was lucky to be alive.
Another helicopter was deployed, the dogs were still on the ground with the rangers and they actually managed to catch the poachers. There is something to be said about the tenacity of the rangers that continued the chase in spite of the accident.
It's the dedication of people like Stephen Whitfield, who has since made a full recovery, and other committed rangers that put their lives on the line daily to turn the tide in this horrendous war against rhino poaching.
The replacement aircraft sponsored by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet will be deployed shortly. Watch this space!
#Rangers #UnsungHeroes #SaveourRhinos #ItsWar #KeepSwipingYourMyPlanetRhinoFundCard #Rhino's #RegionalRanger
Stephen Whitfield, Regional Ranger in the Kruger National Park, was flying a Foxbat aircraft in pursuit of poachers and behind him, the dogs were deployed from the helicopter. The reason for the smaller aircraft upfront is that it can fly very low; about 100 meters off the ground to try and get the poachers to slow down and hide. Suddenly there was engine failure, Stephen had to crash land the aircraft by stalling it just before it hit the ground obviously going as slow as possible to minimise impact. This was not on a dirt road but rather in the bush. The aircraft skidded along the ground for a few hundred meters after which the front wheel sheared off resulting in the plane nose-diving and somersaulting with Stephen still in the cockpit. When the engine stalled he initiated a mayday call which was received by the helicopter behind him and was already on the ground before he stumbled out of the aircraft. He was then flown to Nelspruit hospital where he had 36 stitches in his head. Personally I think he was lucky to be alive.
Another helicopter was deployed, the dogs were still on the ground with the rangers and they actually managed to catch the poachers. There is something to be said about the tenacity of the rangers that continued the chase in spite of the accident.
It's the dedication of people like Stephen Whitfield, who has since made a full recovery, and other committed rangers that put their lives on the line daily to turn the tide in this horrendous war against rhino poaching.
The replacement aircraft sponsored by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet will be deployed shortly. Watch this space!
#Rangers #UnsungHeroes #SaveourRhinos #ItsWar #KeepSwipingYourMyPlanetRhinoFundCard #Rhino's #RegionalRanger
