Fisherman casualty evacuated : fish hook in wrist

On Wednesday the 06th of February at 10h26, NSRI Agulhas volunteers were called out to assist a fisherman on a small open fishing boat, STELLA, who had a fish hook impaled in his wrist out at the fishing grounds approximately 3 hours from Struisbaai.Danie Viljoen, NSRI Agulhas deputy station commander said that our Agulhas duty crew launched VODACOM RESCUER VII and responded to rendezvous with the fishing boat which was heading from fishing grounds towards Struisbaai. On meeting up with the fishing boat the casualty, a local 52 year old, was found to have a large fish hook (approximately half a hand size) impaled in his wrist but was in a stable condition.The fish hook had reportedly impaled in the fisherman's wrist while using fishing line and hook fishing for Yellow Tail.Our NSRI medics secured the fish hook with bandages to prevent its movement and causing any further damage to tissue or blood vessels in the wrist. He was transferred onto our sea rescue craft and brought to shore at Struisbaai harbour and taken to a local doctor in Struisbaai.The fish hook was removed by the doctor who cut the blunt end of the fish hook and pushed the hook out through the mans wrist.The wound has been cleaned and bandaged by the doctor and we expect the fisherman, local John Newman, who lives in Bredasdorp to be back at sea tomorrow. File image, courtesy of Jacques Rademan