• Incident 1 – Stranded 18-year-old hiker assisted down India Venster
• Incident 2 – Fallen Hiker flown from Platteklip Gorge
• Incident 3 – 32-Year-old Australian hiker flown from Maclear's Beacon on Table Mountain
• Incident 4 – Injured 74-year-old hiker carried from East Fort hiking trail
• Incident 5 – Fallen 68-year-old hiker carried from Contour Path above Newlands Forest
• Incident 6 – 63-year-old Dutch hiker flown from Smuts Track on Table Mountain
• Show your support - https://www.backabuddy.co.za/sos-for-life-saving-equipment
• Outdoor lovers are urged to memorise this crucial Emergency Number: 021 937 0300
• Please share the #IAmWildernessSafe campaign – to increase safety awareness
Teams of dedicated rescue volunteers and professionals from Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) responded to six callouts this past weekend.
According to David Nel, a spokesperson for Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR): “We’ve had a busy start to the year and this weekend was no different, with rescue teams responding to six incidents.
“We want to remind all wilderness enthusiasts that we have teams of dedicated rescuers ready to respond to wilderness emergencies.
“Avoid attempting to self-rescue after an incident, as this may lead to more serious injuries.
“Don’t wait, call us sooner – 021 937 0300.“
Incident 1
Rescuers responded to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Lower Cableway Station on Friday afternoon after an 18-year-old hiker lost his way while hiking up Table Mountain.
The hiker had set out from the lower cable station at lunchtime, intending to climb the India Venster hiking trail.
He battled to follow the trail after the recent fires and called the emergency number – 021 937 0300, when he found himself stranded on a steep and loose slope.
Rescuers hiked up to a point above the hiker and carefully scramble down to him.
He was assisted back up to the trail and guided back down the mountain.
The incident was concluded shortly before 17h00.
Incident 2
Rescue teams were dispatched to Tafelberg Road below Table Mountain after a 26-year-old hiker fell while descending the Platteklip Gorge hiking trail on Saturday morning.
A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to the scene and hoisted down to a point close to the injured hiker.
He was assessed by a Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness paramedic before being assisted into a rescue harness and hoisted up to the helicopter.
He was flown to a nearby landing zone, transferred into a waiting ambulance, and driven to hospital.
The incident was concluded at 12h15.
Incident 3
Rescuers were dispatched to assist a 32-year-old Australian hiker near Maclear's Beacon on Saturday afternoon after she stepped awkwardly and injured her ankle.
The hiker and her partner had hiked up Platteklip Gorge on Saturday morning, intending to hike across the mountain and descend into Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
Realising that she was not able to continue, the pair called the emergency number – 021 937 0300.
A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to the scene and hoisted down to a point close to the injured hiker.
She was assessed by a Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness paramedic before being assisted into a rescue harness and hoisted up to the helicopter.
She was flown to a nearby landing zone, transferred into a waiting ambulance, and driven to hospital.
Rescuers walked back to the upper cable station with her partner.
The incident was concluded shortly before 14h00.
Incident 4
Rescuers responded to Chapman's Peak Drive on Sunday morning after a 74-year-old hiker slipped and injured his ankle while descending the East Fort hiking trail on Sunday morning.
He was treated on scene, before being helped into a stretcher and carried down to the parking.
Rescuers helped him into a vehicle, before a family member drove him to hospital.
The incident was concluded at 12h00.
Incident 5
Rescue teams were dispatched to Newlands Forrest after a trail runner reported that a hiker had fallen from a section of the contour path.
According to the trail runner, the 68-year-old hiker had stepped awkwardly while crossing a bend in the trail and tumbled roughly seven meters down into a rocky gully.
Once on scene, rescuers climbed down to the injured hiker.
He was treated by a paramedic and helped into a rescue stretcher.
Rescue teams carefully raised the injured hiker back to the trail.
Using the Cascade Rescue Company terrain taming stretcher wheel, rescuers quickly carried him to a waiting vehicle.
He was driven down the jeep track back to the Newlands Forrest parking area, transferred to an ambulance and driven to hospital.
This incident was concluded shortly before 16h00.
Incident 6
Rescuers were called to assist a 63-year-old Dutch hiker after he stepped awkwardly and injured his ankle on Smuts Track high above Newlands.
The family of four visiting hikers had caught the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway cable car to the top of Table Mountain earlier on Sunday.
They intended to walk across the mountain and down into Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, in time to watch the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts performance.
Realising that he was unable to continue, the injured hiker called the emergency number -021 937 0300 for help.
A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to the scene and hoisted down to a point close to the injured hiker.
He was assessed by a Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS paramedic before being assisted into a rescue harness and hoisted up to the helicopter.
He was flown to a nearby landing zone, transferred into a waiting ambulance, and driven to hospital.
The incident was concluded at 19h50.
“We thank the many passionate rescuers for their continued dedication to wilderness rescue in the Western Cape.
“We wish all of our patients a swift recovery”, said Nel.
• Save and share the Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300
• Donations can save lives - now via special WSAR Back-A-Buddy platform - https://www.backabuddy.co.za/sos-for-life-saving-equipment
• Please support us - https://wsar.org.za/support-us/
• Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue.