A male volunteer from the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) team was airlifted from the Constantia Nek trail in Table Mountain on Sunday evening after he reportedly slipped and broke his leg while hiking.
The AMS Helicopter services airlifted the victim and transported him to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where ER24 paramedics were onsite to transfer him to Victoria Hospital in Wynberg.
The Metro Traffic Department and other services were also present.
[CAPE TOWN] Man airlifted from Table Mountain with broken leg https://t.co/XnKnX8mfVm @ewnupdates @CapeTalk @SABCNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/Z4q0wEKYXn
— ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. (@ER24EMS) January 6, 2019
SANParks has provided list of 10 basic safety rules for visitors to follow when hiking in Table Mountain National Park.
10 Basic rules of safety
1. Do not hike alone; groups of four are the ideal number when exploring hiking trails.
2. Choose your route carefully and stick to it. Allow yourself enough time – start early. Inform someone of your trip and what time you are expected to be back.
3. If lost, groups must not split up and should rather try to retrace their steps.
4. Choose a hike leader and walk at the pace of the slowest member.
5. Always pack waterproof clothing, even in mid-summer – weather changes are unpredictable and can happen rapidly – and wear suitable walking shoes or hiking boots. Hikers must wear a hat or cap along with sunblock.
6. If lost or forced to stop due to bad weather, stay together and remain in one place. Find the closest shelter from wind and rain.
7. In case of injury, hikers are advised to take time to asses the situation and send two people for help, with the third individual remaining with the injured person. If you are able to, mark the position on the map of the injured individual and send it with those who are going to search for help.
8. Stick to well-used paths, which are indicated on the park’s hiking map, and read the warnings on the map. Do not take shortcuts and especially do not wander into ravines.
9. Always pack enough water, especially in summer, and food. Monitor the time and weather, turn back before you start running late or if bad weather conditions threaten your safety.
10. Take a fully-charged cellphone. Although some of the parks do not have much cellphone signal, you will be able to reach an area with signal more quickly than a place with landline access.
Picture: Twitter/ER24
