Gauteng man falls to his death while attempting to escape a fire

A Pretoria man died after falling to his death from a tall building while trying to escape a fire.

The incident reportedly occurred on Maltzan Street in the CBD just before noon on Friday.

Fatal fall in Pretoria CBD

Emergency services provider, Netcare 911 says it was called to the scene after reports that the man had fallen from the fifth floor of a block of flats.

When the medics arrived, the man was in critical condition, but still alive. However, Netcare’s Shawn Herbst says attempts to resuscitate him failed, and he was soon pronounced dead on the scene.

“Netcare 911 responded to reports in Pretoria. Reports on the scene were that a 49-year-old male had fallen from the fifth floor while trying to escape a fire. Paramedics found the man in a critical state. He was declared deceased on the scene.”

Shawn Herbst, Netcare 911 spokesperson

Gauteng: Man falls to death trying to avoid fire on Maltzan Street in Pretoria https://t.co/8ofyLYE5Hn #ArriveAlive #BuildingFire @Netcare911_sa

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 11, 2020

More to follow.