A 60-year-old hiker was rescued after falling approximately 40 metres from the Second Waterfall hiking trail in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch on Thursday morning.
The hiker was part of a group enjoying the popular trail when he reportedly stepped awkwardly, slipped, and fell down steep terrain adjacent to the path. His hiking companions immediately moved to an area where they could obtain cellular signal and contacted the emergency number - 021 937 0300.
A small rescue team, including a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic, was flown directly to the scene to assess and stabilise the injured hiker. At the same time, additional WSAR rescuers, accompanied by a CapeNature work party, hiked into the area carrying specialised technical rescue equipment and a stretcher.
Technical rescue teams established a rope system to safely access the patient in the difficult terrain. After being treated on scene, the hiker was secured in a stretcher, hauled back up to the trail, and carefully carried to a suitable location from where the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter could safely complete a hoist evacuation.
The patient was flown to a nearby landing zone, where he was transferred to a waiting ambulance for transport to hospital for further treatment.
The complex rescue operation, involving both aerial and ground-based resources, concluded shortly before 17:30 on Thursday afternoon, approximately six and a half hours after the initial emergency call was received.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who gave their time, energy and expertise to help bring an injured hiker to safety.
Their willingness to leave work, family and personal commitments to assist others reflects the very best of the outdoor and rescue community.
We wish the injured hiker a full and speedy recovery.
• 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.
Photos by Duncan Fraser, Nicholas Le Maitre and Nico Meyer
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