While many Capetonians and visitors spent the weekend soaking up summer sunshine with family and friends, Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) teams were once again stretched across the mountains, responding to multiple incidents in exceptionally hot and demanding conditions, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to WSAR, December alone saw teams respond to 25 incidents, with a further 13 already recorded in January.Over the course of the weekend, teams were deployed to three separate rescues: ‘a technically demanding stretcher operation on Lion’s Head, a helicopter-assisted evacuation in Jonkershoek, and a heat-related rescue in Platteklip Gorge late on Sunday afternoon’
‘These responses meant hours spent on steep trails, exposed terrain and in extreme heat,’ WSAR noted, adding that the operations required skill, coordination and physical endurance from volunteers who had already given up significant personal time during the festive season.
Lion’s Head rescue
On Saturday morning, WSAR teams, including TMNP rangers, responded to Lion’s Head after a 28-year-old hiker was injured while descending the popular trail.
According to the hiker, she slipped on a loose, sandy section of the path above the first ladder, twisting her leg during the fall. She was assessed and treated on scene by a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic before being assisted into a stretcher
Given the steep and broken terrain, rescue teams established a rope system to safely lower the stretcher down the ladder and guide it along exposed sections of the trail. Once below the more technical terrain, the hiker was carried to a waiting vehicle and transported by ambulance to hospital for further treatment.
The incident was concluded at 1:29pm.
Jonkershoek evacuation
On Sunday afternoon, rescue teams were deployed to Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch after a 57-year-old hiker slipped and fell near the First Waterfall.
A medic, accompanied by two CapeNature rangers, hiked in to assess the patient. Due to the nature of her injuries and the surrounding terrain, the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service rescue helicopter was requested.
The hiker was secured in a rescue stretcher, moved to a safer location and hoisted from the trail before being flown to a nearby landing zone. She was then transported by ambulance to hospital.
The operation concluded shortly before 4pm.
Platteklip Gorge heat-related rescue
Later on Sunday afternoon, WSAR teams responded to Platteklip Gorge to assist two visiting hikers from the Netherlands, aged 56 and 66, who were struggling in extreme heat.
Initially deployed to assist the female hiker, rescuers soon realised that her male companion was also in difficulty after underestimating the impact of heat, hydration and a late start. Given their condition and the intense temperature, the decision was made to evacuate both hikers by helicopter.
The incident was concluded at 6:18pm.
Commenting on the recent incidents, WSAR extended its best wishes to all those injured or assisted over the weekend and thanked the medics, rescuers, aircrew, rangers and partner agencies involved.
‘To the volunteers who showed up, stepped in and carried on throughout this demanding period – thank you for your dedication and sacrifice,’ the organisation said.
Rescue teams also urged hikers to plan carefully during summer conditions, warning that ‘mountains have moods and heat doesn’t negotiate – even a short stroll can turn into a struggle’.
Hikers are reminded to bring more water than they think would be necessary, hydrate adequately, pace themselves and save the emergency number (021 937 0300) before heading out.
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Picture: Chris Jacobs, Mike Vosloo, Ben van der Westhuizen, SARZA – Western Cape, Fredy Mohorich and James Dijzel /WSAR / Facebook
