Specialised teams of volunteers and professionals from Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape responded to Newlands Forest on Friday afternoon following reports of a stranded hiker in Second Waterfall Ravine on Devil’s Peak.
According to a Facebook post, a group of young hikers reported hearing calls for help from the contour path while passing Second Waterfall Ravine earlier on Friday.
The group reported the incident when they reached the Newlands Forest.
Teams of rescuers raced from Newlands Forest to investigate the incident and found an injured 28-year-old hiker, located roughly one hundred metres up the ravine from the contour path.
A Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic attended to the injured hiker before team members carefully helped him into a rescue stretcher.
Rescuers used ropes to construct a low guideline that allowed them to safely float the stretcher over the steep and broken terrain back to the contour path.
Once on the contour path, the Cascade Rescue Company Terra Tamer stretcher wheel was used to swiftly move the patient to a waiting vehicle at the King’s Blockhouse near Rhodes Memorial.
The injured hiker was driven to hospital by ambulance, and the incident was concluded shortly after 10pm on Friday evening.
‘The hiker told team members that he had fallen and injured his leg two days earlier,’ said David Nel, a spokesperson for WSAR.
‘He was not able to move from his position and had no other means to call for help.’
‘He is very lucky that passing hikers heard his cries for help and raised the alarm.’
‘We urge outdoor enthusiasts not to venture out on their own. Carry a cell phone and ensure that it is fully charged before starting. Pack a power bank just in case.’
‘Tell someone where you’re going and when they can expect you to return. Share the emergency number – 021 937 0300 with them just in case.’
‘We wish our patient a speedy recovery’, Nel said.
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Picture: Mountain Club of SA – Search And Rescue and Chris Jacobs / Facebook
