A 29-year-old foreign hiker and her local guide were rescued thanks to technology deployed by organisations on Tuesday.
According to the Wilderness Search and Rescue team (WSAR), the pair were hiking up India Venster (Contour Path, Table Mountain) when they lost their way near the junction with Kloof Corner.
“At a point where it was no longer safe to proceed, nor was it safe to retrace their steps, a decision was made to call Wilderness Search And Rescue for help.”
In a carefully coordinated response, teams were dispatched to a staging point, while the drone team determined the exact location of the hikers. On the phone, the guide was asked to describe their position relative to where the drone was.
“The drone found the patients within 10 minutes. We called the patients on their cell phone and had them tell us where the drone was relative to their position,” said the On Scene Rescue Co-ordinator, Tim Lundy.
Not only had the drone provided the exact location of the hikers, but it also offered valuable information about the terrain to the rescue team, offering up an exact location via GPS.
After analysing the necessary information provided by the drone, the Western Cape Department of Health EMS was called in for a helicopter rescue.
The hikers were safely rescued.
Remember:
Whether you’re a novice or experienced hiker, safety is always the name of the game.
Be sure to save WSAR’s number – 021 937 0300 – so that if ever you find yourself in a wilderness predicament, you know exactly who to call.
Also read:
Picture: Facebook