Henry Hopkins
Henry Hopkins (71), former editor of Die Wynboer, was seriously injured during the Betty’s Bay inferno.

Netwerk24 reports that Henry Hopkins (71), a former journalist at Die Burger and former editor at Die Wynboer (now WineLand) is being treated at the Melomed Hospital in Bellville after suffering severe burns during the Betty’s Bay fires.

Hopkins’s wife, Ethné, says his eyes are swollen and has been in an induced coma since being admitted to hospital on 11 January. “My husband is very seriously injured.” The couple and their children were residing in Betty’s Bay when the fire spread in their direction. Ethné and their son were in one vehicle and Henry in a second vehicle. They evacuated their home and were on their way to Kleinmond. “I really don’t know what happened. Henry never came to Kleinmond,” Ethné told Netwerk24.

Paramedics found him alongside the road and he was taken to the Vergelegen Mediclinic in Somerset West, However, Henry was immediately transferred to the Melomed Hospital in Bellville. Ethné is at the hospital every day and she believes her husband will make a full recovery. Hopkins was editor of Die Wynboer from 1983 until the 1990s. He worked for KWV’s communications department until his retirement.