medical update 17 - accident airlink flight update #16 - 12/10/09
Issued 12 October 2009
JOHANNESBURG – Following is an update on the medical condition of our friends who were injured in last month’s accident in Durban:
We are relieved to advise that First Officer Sonja Bierman and Flight Attendant Rudelle Oosthuysen have been discharged and are continuing their recuperation at home. Sonja is also receiving daily physio and occupational therapy to aid her recovery.
Similarly, we can report that Mr Abraham Mthethwa, the Solid Waste employee who was injured in the accident, is also making a strong recovery. Doctors are optimistic that he will be sent home before the weekend.
Sadly, as we have already announced, Capt Allister Freeman, the pilot in command of flight 8911, succumbed to his injuries early last Wednesday morning. Allister’s funeral will take place in Boksburg on Wednesday.
In the meantime, Airlink continues to support and assist the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s investigation into the accident. This investigation is ongoing and it may be some time before a final report is published. Until then, it would be inappropriate to speculate on the causal factors that led to this unfortunate tragedy.
Issued for Airlink
KARIN MURRAY