MAF medevacs injured to hospital after horrific bus crash in Guinea

1st May 2024

MAF responds to one of Guinea’s worst road accidents in recent history (credit: Joel Conte)

MAF responds to one of Guinea’s worst ever road accidents (credit: Joel Conte)

On 24 April, a bus destined for Guinea’s capital Conakry plunged into a ravine killing 16 people and injuring more than 50 following a burst tyre. MAF’s newest programme swung into action and joined the national rescue effort by medevacking seven of the most seriously injured to hospital. MAF’s Joel Conte reports

Guinea is still reeling from one of its worst road accidents in recent history.

Last week, a bus carrying passengers from the city of Macenta in southern Guinea was heading north-west to the capital Conakry, when one of its tyres burst.

The bus overturned in Gueckedou, veered off the road and crashed into the ravine below, killing 16 people including two children, according to Guinea’s health authorities.

MAF is part of Guinea’s first ever multi air operator response to a road accident (credit: Joel Conte)

MAF in Guinea’s 1st ever multi air ops response to a road accident (credit: Joel Conte)

It was the first time that the Guinean government had mounted a joint emergency response using MAF and helicopter operators on the frontline of a road accident of such scale.

Conte Fodé Badra, deputy national director of public and private hospitals, welcomed the rapid response:

‘We reached out to companies that have planes and helicopters. We were satisfied with their prompt response – praise God!

‘An accident of such scale where patients are transported by plane and helicopter from the scene of the accident (Macenta) to Conakry – this is a first!

‘The Ministry of Health and the Guinean population are very satisfied with their prompt response to help the injured.’

Conte Fodé Badra, deputy national director of public & private hospitals

MAF medevacs the seriously injured

45 of the injured were taken to Macenta Hospital and seven were taken to Gueckedou Hospital.

MAF was the quickest way for survivors to access advanced care in Conakry (credit: Joel Conte)

MAF – the quickest way to access advanced care in Conakry (credit: Joel Conte)

Another seven seriously injured patients needed advanced medical treatment only available in the capital, but how would they get there?

MAF – in two separate flights accompanied by local medical staff – flew them to Conakry.

MAF also flew medical staff to accompany the patients to hospital (credit: Joel Conte)

MAF fly medical staff to accompany the patients to hospital (credit: Joel Conte)

MAF’s trusty Cessna Caravan N2114G was piloted by Brad Ballin and Jonathan Blomberg.

The first medevac carried a 35-year-old woman, a 42-year-old woman, a 30-year-old man and a 45-year-old man. Their injuries ranged from fractures and spinal injuries to head trauma.

$Patient injuries included fractures, head trauma and spine problems (credit: Joel Conte)$

Patient injuries include fractures, head trauma and spine problems (credit: Joel Conte)

This lady needed treatment for head trauma (credit: Joel Conte)

This lady needs treatment for head trauma (credit: Joel Conte)

The second medevac carried a 40-year-old woman, a 35-year-old man and a 42-year-old man. Their injuries ranged from dislocation, fractures and head trauma.

‘Thank you for your support’

MAF’s Brad Ballin says transporting patients by road would have hindered their recovery (credit: Joel Conte)

MAF’s Brad Ballin says travelling by road would hinder patient recovery (credit: Joel Conte)

MAF pilot Brad Ballin was glad that MAF could respond to the government’s request and help survivors:

‘Without MAF, the most seriously injured would have had to endure many hours of rough road travel to access advanced medical assistance that was only provided in Conakry.

‘Such a road trip – apart from subjecting the injured to unnecessary further pain and suffering – would have had a negative impact on their recovery.

‘It is testament to the MAF Guinea team that we were able to complete two medevac flights safely and successfully, which demonstrates Christ’s love to those in need.’

Prime Minister Bah Oury thanks MAF Guinea’s operations manager Ulrich Imobersteg (credit: Joel Conte)

Prime Minister Bah Oury thanks MAF ops manager Ulrich Imobersteg (credit: Joel Conte)

Colonel Alseni Camara, also present during the rescue, welcomes MAF’s support:

‘We would really like to thank you for your support, which frankly relieved us today, given the seriousness of the accident.

‘We have seen that the government’s effort – along with MAF – has borne fruit in helping these patients. Congratulations to MAF. We will always stand by them and we are ready to support them.’

On arrival at Conakry International Airport, MAF’s seven seriously injured patients were met by ambulance and driven to various hospitals in the capital.

Patients were taken from Conakry’s airport to hospital by ambulance (credit: Joel Conte)

Patients are taken from Conakry’s airport to hospital by ambulance (credit: Joel Conte)

These patients are reportedly in a stable condition.

MAF medevacs injured to hospital after horrific bus crash in Guinea

1st May 2024

MAF medevacs the seriously injured

‘Thank you for your support’

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