A Port Elizabeth veterinarian was killed during an animal darting exercise when the helicopter he was flying in crashed near Sterkstroom.
The crash happened on Wednesday while Dr George “Freek” Snyman, 32, a wildlife veterinarian based in the Bay, was participating in a game darting flight on a reserve near Sterkstroom, outside Komani (Queenstown), at about 10.30am on Wednesday.
The cause of the Robinson RH22 helicopter crash remains unknown but police spokeswoman Colonel Michelle Matroos said Snyman was a passenger in the aircraft at the time.
The chopper crashed on a game reserve in the Thaba Thala district outside Sterkstroom.
Pilot Joshua Cilliers, who is from Malelane in Mpumalanga, was taken to a hospital in Komani for treatment.
“The pilot was seriously injured and taken to hospital,” Matroos said.
She said police would hold an inquest and aviation watchdog the SA Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) would investigate the cause of the crash.
Snyman is a vet and co-owner of the Silver Arrow Wildlife Vet Services together with his wife, veterinary nurse Stacey Lynn Eke-Snyman.
By Thursday morning, several messages of condolence had been posted on their Facebook page. The couple, who also run a vet student programme, moved to Port Elizabeth in May 2015 and started the veterinary wildlife service.According to the service’s website, Snyman qualified as a vet in Onderstepoort in 2012 and then worked at a mixed animal practice in Limpopo Province before developing an interest in wildlife animals.
“He thoroughly enjoyed getting out of the ‘office’ and working with all the beautiful creatures that our diverse country has to offer,” the website says.
Snyman also worked part-time at the Mount Pleasant Vet Clinic office for the last three years while running Silver Arrow service.
Mount Pleasant office manager Estelle Myburgh said everyone was shattered by the news.“We are all really devastated.
It is just such a shock,” she said, in tears.“He was such a nice guy and really a dedicated vet who would do anything for the animals. This is such a loss not only for Port Elizabeth but also for the animals.”
A visibly devastated Myburgh said she had personally seen Snyman save a dog at death’s door.“
It was a really amazing vet, he had such a passion for animals,” she said.
“He was here two days ago and told us he was going to the Queenstown area (Komani) to dart animals. He was meant to be back and working on Thursday.”
Myburgh explained how Snyman would come to the aid of any animal, no matter what the time of day or circumstance.“He always looked after the animals first and would do what had to be done, no matter what it was.
“He was so young and had everything going for him. We loved working with him, he was part of our family.
“His real interest was wildlife but he did not care what animal he needed to help. If an animal was in need, he would be there to do what he could,” she said.
Grahamstown vet Dr Luca Mendes, 30, who studied with Snyman, said that he was a passionate vet.
“It is real loss to the community.He was such a hard worker and just the type of person everyone would get along with,” he said.
An accident investigation team from the CAA is expected to be at the game reserve where the helicopter crashed today.
The team will investigate the cause of the accident and compile a detailed report, which will also be given to the police for the inquest investigation.