Hospital beds at the Pelonomi Hospital in Free State. The facility was the site of SA’s first COVID-19 death in March 2020 – Photo: Twitter
Hospital beds at the Pelonomi Hospital in Free State. The facility was the site of SA’s first COVID-19 death in March 2020 – Photo: Twitter
An investigation is underway at a hospital in Free State, after a patient plunged to his death from the seventh floor of the facility. A security worker at Pelonomi Tertiary discovered the body over the weekend.
Deadly fall at Pelonomi Hospital subject to major investigation
It’s understood that the deceased was a 33-year-old male, who had previously been transferred from another hospital. He had been admitted to the burns unit at Pelonomi, after initially staying at the JS Moroka medical facility. But this would prove to be a fateful decision.
The patient was suffering from severe burns to his neck, shoulders, hands and face. His next of kin have been alerted, and offered psychological support. Meanwhile, police and forensic teams are now leading an investigation into this bizarre death.
Spokesperson Mondli Mvambi says the patient was a burns transfer from Dr J.S Moroka hospital and was deemed to be needing the care and attention of Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital.#News@LivePretoria
— PretoriaLIVE (@LivePretoria) July 26, 2022
Free State facility facing some very challenging questions
Mondli Mvambi is a spokesperson for Pelonomi Hospital. He confirmed a number of details for us, revealing how staff at the facility reacted in the hours of Friday morning. However, the circumstances behind this deadly fall are yet to be established.
Certainly, piecing this mystery together will take some time.
“On Friday 22 July 2022 at about 3:30, a member of the security services reported to the afterhours office that a male patient was lying on the floor in a pool of blood in the corridor. The corridor lead towards the admission office.”
“Immediately, the after hour matrons responded to the scene. They notified the head nurse and the CEO. Afterwards the police arrived, followed by the criminal investigation detective and forensic team. Consequently, the body was removed by the forensic team.”
Mondli Mvambi details the tragic fall at Pelonomi Hospital, Free State.
