• Incident 1: 63-Year-old hiker flown from Cape Point hiking trail
• Incident 2: Four hikers stuck without torches on remote Jonkershoek cliff
• Incident 3: 32-Year-old hiker dehydrated and off-trail with navigation app
• Incident 4: Lost visitor attempts to call 999 - instead of correct number: 021 937 0300
• “For helping save these lives: Our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers and partner agencies,” says WSAR
This Easter weekend, Wilderness Search And Rescue teams were called into action three times after dark and once during the day, responding to four separate incidents across the Peninsula and Jonkershoek trails. From hikers losing their way in steep terrain to those stranded without torches, water, or warm layers, each rescue tested the skill, coordination, and dedication of our volunteers and partner agencies.
Thanks to their expertise and swift response, all hikers were brought to safety. These incidents are a strong reminder: to plan ahead, stay prepared, and always call the correct emergency number - 021 937 0300, as soon as you need help.
Incident 1
Rescue teams responded to an incident at Cape Point on Thursday afternoon after a large hiking group reported that one of their members, a 63-year-old woman, had tripped and fallen on the trail.
The group acted quickly and called the emergency number - 021 937 0300 requesting help.
A small team on board the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was flown to the scene. The patient was assessed and treated by a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic before being carefully flown to a nearby landing zone, where she was transferred into the care of Cape Medical Response ambulance and transported to hospital for further treatment.
The incident was concluded at 13h51.
Incident 2
Rescue teams were dispatched to the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch on Friday evening after a group of four young hikers reported being stuck while descending the Pieke Trail.
The group had followed the trail into a ravine but missed the exit point. They continued descending until they reached terrain where they could no longer continue safely, nor retrace their steps.
Stranded after dark, without torches or warm clothing, the hikers correctly called the emergency number - 021 937 0300.
Rescue teams, working together with CapeNature rangers, responded to the reserve.
A small technical team made their way to a position above the stranded hikers, where ropes were used to carefully haul the four to safety before guiding them the remainder of the way down the trail.
The incident was concluded at 00h38 on Saturday morning.
Incident 3
While teams were being dispatched to assist the stranded hikers in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, a second call for assistance was received from a lone 32-year-old hiker on Table Mountain above Camps Bay.
The hiker had been attempting to walk the Diagonal path to Platteklip Gorge using a popular hiking application for navigation. Although he noticed signage indicating the correct route direction, he chose to follow the directions provided by the application instead. This led him off the intended path and into steep terrain, where he eventually became stranded just below Blinkwater Needle in Blind Gully.
Recognising that he could not continue safely, he called the emergency number - 021 937 0300.
A carefully coordinated rescue effort was mounted involving SANParks - Table Mountain National Park rangers, Wilderness Search And Rescue teams, and the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS drone unit.
While technical rescue teams were transported to the top of the mountain, the drone was deployed to help identify the hiker’s location and guide rescuers to a position directly above him.
The hiker was found to be exhausted and suffering the effects of dehydration. Team members provided water and electrolytes before establishing a rope system to carefully haul him to safety. He was then guided back to the vehicles and transported down the mountain.
The incident was concluded at 02h39 on Saturday morning.
Incident 4
Rescue teams were called back to Table Mountain on Saturday afternoon after a visiting 31-year-old hiker from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reported that he had become lost on the mountain.
The visitor had ascended via the popular Platteklip Gorge trail and intended to descend via India Venster. Thick mist caused him to lose his bearings near the top of the mountain.
While attempting to call for help, he initially tried contacting the UK emergency number - 999, before a friend provided him with the correct local emergency number - 021 937 0300.
While teams were responding, two passing hikers located the visitor and guided him towards the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Upper Cable Station.
Rescue teams intercepted the group and accompanied him safely down the mountain via cable car.
The incident was concluded at 20h15 on Saturday evening.
Our deepest gratitude goes to all the WSAR volunteers and partner agencies who gave their Easter weekend to keep outdoor enthusiasts safe. From paramedics and technical rescue teams to rangers and support staff, every role was vital in bringing these four incidents to a successful conclusion.
• Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300
• 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.
Photo by Lindsay de Necker, Jason Higgins, Chris Jacobs and Tian Cilliers