A dramatic rescue unfolded on Tuesday morning as Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) teams were called into action on Table Mountain, after a 65-year-old hiker fell while scrambling up the challenging Grotto Ravine, located above Camps Bay, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The experienced hiker, accompanied by a partner, was making steady progress through the ravine when disaster struck, and he slipped, falling approximately 8 metres (26 feet) down the mountainside.
The fall left the hiker injured and unable to continue. Recognising the severity of the situation, his hiking partner immediately called for emergency assistance by dialling 021 937 0300, alerting WSAR and other rescue teams.
Responding swiftly to the distress call, a specialised team from Wilderness Search and Rescue, along with the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS, mobilised for the operation. The team, including professionals from Air Mercy Service (AMS), was dispatched by helicopter to the rugged terrain of Grotto Ravine. Once on-site, rescuers were lowered by helicopter to a location near the injured hiker.
The hiker received immediate medical attention from an EMS paramedic, who assessed his condition and administered treatment. After stabilising the injured hiker, the rescue team carefully placed him into a stretcher, where he was hoisted into the helicopter. The helicopter then transported him to a nearby landing zone, where an awaiting ambulance transferred him to a hospital for further care.
The swift and coordinated efforts of the WSAR volunteers, EMS paramedics, and the Air Mercy Service team were vital in ensuring the hiker received the care he needed promptly, highlighting the importance of quick-response teams in mountain rescues.
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Picture: Chris Jacobs / WSAR / Facebook
