Two bodies were recovered in four separate incidents over a busy weekend for the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) teams.
Also read: Hiker’s body recovered near the summit of Lion’s Head
The first incident saw teams activated by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) late on Saturday afternoon after a paraglider crashed on Lion’s Head.
According to WSAR spokesperson Johan Marais, teams quickly mobilised and found the injured pilot below the “second jump” site.
“A paramedic and rescue climber on board the Western Cape Department of Health EMS, and Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to the scene and the rescue team were hoisted down to the patient’s location,” he said.
“He was assessed and treated, before being hoisted up into the helicopter and flown to a nearby landing zone and he was transported to hospital by ambulance.”
On Saturday evening multiple teams, including the Western Cape Government Health Emergency Medical Services Drone Unit, were activated to assist in searching for a missing 82-year-old hiker at the Helderberg Nature Reserve.
“The hiker had started his walk at 1pm and was reported missing by his partner when he failed to return home.
“An extensive search was mounted and continued late into Saturday night.”
“Unfortunately, the hiker was found deceased and teams then assisted SAPS in carrying the remains of the deceased from the trail,” Marais said.
The third incident, at Du Toit’s Kloof on Sunday saw a team deployed to assist SAPS in the recovery of a body from Smalblaar Kloof, near the top of the pass.
“Once on scene, the remains were packaged into a stretcher and teams then slowly lowered the stretcher down a series of steep waterfalls using technical rope systems.
“The deceased was carried back to the forward staging point and the team stood down just before 4pm.”
The WSAR was also contacted by a foreign hiker on Sunday evening after his hike took longer than expected.
According to Marais, the 30-year-old hiker had started up India Venster and planned to descend down Platteklip Gorge but opted to call for help after sunset when it was unsafe to proceed.
“Teams were transported to the top of Table Mountain in the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. They quickly hiked to his location and walked him back to the Upper Cableway Station.
“He was brought down the mountain in the cable car,” Marais added.
“We’re aware that many wilderness enthusiasts still do not know about WSAR or how to call for help in a wilderness emergency.
“We again ask of everyone reading this: please help us by continuing to share the emergency contact number – 021 937 0300 – and share our posts and the #IAmWildernessSafe campaign,” Marais said.
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Pictures: Supplied / Hendre Zoutendyk, Fredy Mohorich, Travis Talmarkes, Richard Dellbridge and Sgt Daggia-Boer