Woman hurt in plunge down illegal gold mine shaft

Johannesburg - A 51-year-old woman was injured when she fell down a shaft of an illegal gold mine on a plantation near Nelspruit on Wednesday morning, paramedics said. 

ER24 said its paramedics and an SA Police Service search and rescue team responded to the accident.

"Paramedics and SAPS began setting up their specialised rescue equipment that they would use to lower a paramedic down the 15-metre shaft," spokesperson Russel Meiring said. 

"Once lowered into the shaft, they found the patient lying on her back in a serious condition. Assessments showed that the patient had sustained serious injuries and fractures to both her upper and lower legs."

Once the woman was stabilised, she was brought to the surface and taken to hospital. 

"Local authorities were on scene for further investigations," Meiring said.