It has been revealed that 55-year-old businessman, Shaun Lapworth, is presently sedated and remains in Life Rosepark’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Lapworth, and 60-year-old Ian Paterson, were involved in a gliding accident on Friday January 4 at the Free State capital. The pair were found trapped in the wreckage by emergency medical services near the New Tempe Airfield. They received “advanced life support interventions” as confirmed by ER24’s Russel Meiring, with Lapworth being transported to Life Rosepark Hospital and Paterson being taken to Mediclinic for further medical care.

In a statement prepared by the friends of Lapworth, with the permission of his wife, Anne, it is revealed that although the 55-year-old Briton remains in the hospital’s ICU unit, he is improving steadily and medical personnel appear to be satisfied with the progress he has made thus far. The British businessman’s loved ones went one to thank the medical staff for the work done to heal the 55-year-old man. It is unknown how long he will remain at the private hospital. According to the statement “Shaun and his wife are both avid glider pilots and are visiting Bloemfontein, as they have for the last sixteen years, to enjoy the exceptional weather conditions that central South Africa has to offer during our summer”. It has been revealed that Lapworth “is also a UK National record holder in gliding and is a much-loved member of the gliding community here in South Africa and across the world”.

Meanwhile, Paterson from Edinburgh in Scotland is in a stable condition after undergoing surgery at Mediclinic on Saturday January 5, confirms hospital spokesperson Mia Alberts. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined. A spokesperson at the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), Kabelo Ledwaba, says the authority is looking into the accident.

OFM News