Tragedy In Patensie: Woman Dies After Crop-Spraying Helicopter Crash

A quiet Monday morning in the small farming town of Patensie turned tragic when a 43-year-old woman lost her life in a helicopter crash while spraying crops.

According to police, the Robinson helicopter went down at around 7:45am after reportedly striking power lines on the Roodegrond farm, about 90km west of Gqeberha. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, died instantly.

A Tight-Knit Farming Community In Shock

Patensie, known as the gateway to the scenic Baviaanskloof Valley, is a close-knit farming area where word of tragedy spreads fast. Local farmer Ruan Scheepers told IOL that one of his workers alerted him to the crash.

“On my way to the scene, I called my neighbour to inform the authorities. When I arrived, I saw the aftermath of the crash,” he said, describing the scene as deeply distressing. Scheepers added that his heart goes out to the woman’s family, saying, “It’s something no one ever wants to witness.”

Police And Emergency Response

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened to determine the cause of the accident. Formal identification of the pilot is still pending.

Private security company Exec Ops, which assisted at the scene, expressed condolences to those affected, noting that no further details can be shared until investigations are complete.

A Community United In Grief

On local social media groups, residents have shared messages of sympathy and heartbreak, describing the incident as a “terrible loss for the Patensie farming family.” Others praised the pilot’s dedication to her work, with one comment reading, “She gave her life doing what she lovedserving the land.”

As investigations continue, the Eastern Cape farming community remains shaken by the sudden loss of one of their owna reminder of the risks faced by agricultural pilots who take to the skies each day to help feed the nation.

{Source:IOL}

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