A sweltering, windy weekend resulted in a busy weekend for Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), with one fatality reported from seven incidents in recent days.
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A 26-year-old man died on Sunday afternoon after drowning while swimming in a rock pool.
The body of the deceased bather was placed on a rescue stretcher and slowly transported back up the road.
Rescuers used a rope hauling system to assist the team in moving the stretcher up the steep slope.
The body was handed over to SAPS officers on the scene.
Then, rescue teams were dispatched to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Lower Cableway Station after a single 53-year-old German hiker fell while scrambling up a difficult section of a popular hiking trail on Table Mountain on Sunday afternoon.
The visiting hiker had set out from the lower cable station earlier on Sunday with the intention of ascending the India Venster Trail to the summit of Table Mountain.
He was scrambling up a steep section of the trail beneath Fountain Ledge when he suddenly fell four metres and hit his head.
Fortunately, two rock climbers heard him fall and promptly called the emergency number, 021 937 0300.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway assisted rescue efforts by ferrying teams of rescuers and equipment up the mountain.
Once on top, teams quickly descended to the injured hiker.
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A Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS paramedic assessed and treated him before assisting him onto a rescue stretcher.
Team members had their work cut out for them, as they had to transport the injured hiker back up to the upper cable station before strong winds made it impossible to use the cable car to transport him down the mountain.
The Cascade Rescue Company’s terrain-taming stretcher wheel enabled the team of twenty rescuers to quickly cover the steep broken trail, in time for the cable car to transport everyone down the mountain.
The injured hiker was transferred to a Netcare911 ambulance and driven to the hospital.
Earlier in the day, a 72-year-old British hiker called the emergency number – 021 937 0300 – while hiking up Platteklip Gorge early Friday morning.
Hiking in extremely hot conditions, he developed shortness of breath and was unable to continue.
SANParks – Table Mountain National Park rangers approached the visiting hiker and helped him back down the trail.
On Friday, a 54-year-old hiker fell and injured her leg on a trail above the Du Toitskloof Lodge.
Rescuers and Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS medics approached her.
She was treated on the scene before being transferred to a stretcher and carried back to the lodge.
She was assisted into an ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. ambulance and driven to the hospital.
On Saturday morning, rescuers responded to Platteklip Gorge after a 20-year-old hiker fell from the path and injured herself.
The family had begun their walk up the popular trail on Saturday morning and were nearing the summit when their daughter fainted.
Her parents immediately dialled the emergency number.
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A small team from the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was flown to the scene and hoisted down to a location near the injured hiker.
A Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS paramedic assessed her before assisting her into a rescue stretcher and hoisting her up to the helicopter.
She was flown to a nearby landing zone, then transferred to a waiting ambulance and driven to the hospital.
Rescue teams were also dispatched to Silvermine Nature Reserve after a 27-year-old hiker fell and injured herself on her way back from the Elephant’s Eye Cave on Sunday morning.
The family of three was hiking back to their car at Silvermine Nature Reserve parking when she took an awkward step and fell, injuring her leg.
When her husband realised she could not go any further, he called the emergency number right away.
Rescuers moved quickly to meet the family.
An EMS paramedic from the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness assessed the injured hiker and assisted him onto a rescue stretcher.
Team members once again used the Cascade Rescue Company’s terrain-taming stretcher wheel to help carry her down the trail.
She was transferred to a waiting Netcare911 ambulance and taken to the hospital.
In the seventh and final incident, four visiting German hikers requested assistance after missing the last cable car down Table Mountain on Sunday evening.
Strong winds forced the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to close earlier Sunday afternoon.
They were directed to a rescue shelter near the upper cable station to avoid the wet and windy weather.
After spending the night in the shelter, they safely descended the mountain early Monday morning.
According to David Nel, a spokesperson for Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR): ‘There is a noticeable increase in the number of call-outs in warmer weather, and we urge everyone venturing outdoors on hotter days to take extra care.’
‘We want to remind our friends visiting from cooler climates that it takes a few days to fully acclimatise to the warmer conditions.’
‘Start earlier and avoid strenuous activity during the warmest hours of the day.’
‘For moderate outdoor activities – carry at least 500ml of water for every hour you intend to be busy.’
‘Slow down and remember to rest in the shade.’
‘Dress appropriately – wear a hat and closed shoes and apply sunblock regularly.’
‘Choose activities and trails in shaded areas.’
Also read:
WSAR warns of the dangers of outdoor activities during a heat wave
Picture: Nurah Neethling / WSAR