Earlier today, Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) teams responded to the Kloof Nek landing zone after a 57-year-old paraglider crashed on the slopes below the Lion’s Head parking area.
This marks the third paragliding incident on Lion’s Head since 25 November, when world-renowned South African extreme sports athlete and aviator Jean-Jacques Wallis suffered a fatal crash on the mountain.
Following this tragedy, a foreign paraglider survived a crash on 8 December and is recovering in hospital.
A member of Global Medical Safety & Risk Solutions, who is also an active WSAR member, witnessed the incident and immediately responded. Together with City of Cape Town Law Enforcement, SANParks - Table Mountain National Park rangers, Life Healthcare, and Taurus Medical Film and Sports Medics, he hiked up to the fallen pilot to provide assistance.
City of Cape Town Traffic Services managed traffic while the rescue was underway.
The pilot was assessed on scene by paramedics and found to have sustained injuries requiring urgent medical attention. The Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was deployed to safely hoist him from the slope.
The patient was flown to a nearby landing zone and transported to hospital by ambulance.
Teams worked efficiently to conclude the rescue before deteriorating weather conditions, with the incident concluded at 14h16.
Shortly afterwards, teams were deployed again on Lion’s Head to assist a 25-year-old hiker from Gauteng who was feeling lightheaded, and unable to descend safely on his own.
Rescuers quickly made their way to the hiker, provided food and water, and carefully assisted him back down the trail.
This second incident was concluded at 16h35.
We thank all responding agencies for their swift coordination in both incidents, and wishes both patients a full and speedy recovery.
• Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300
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• Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue.
Photos by Global Medical Safety & Risk Solutions and Daniel Vorster