Over the weekend, NSRI Hout Bay was alerted to local hikers – a man, two women and a dog – lost and dehydrated on the Hangberg hiking trail, between Hout Bay and Sandy Bay.
The Hout Bay Community Crime Prevention (CCP) control room raised the alarm, prompting a swift response from local rescue authorities.
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The Western Cape Government Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Metro Control was notified, and a coordinated rescue effort involving EMS rescue paramedics, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), South African Police Services and the EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) Skymed rescue helicopter was launched.
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) was also put on alert. The exact location of the hikers was uncertain at the time. Meanwhile, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Hout Bay launched their rescue craft, Albie Matthews, to search from the sea.
The rescue operation faced challenges due to rough sea conditions, preventing a sea-based rescue. The hikers were eventually located east of their expected position.
As daylight faded, an urgent air rescue was initiated. A rescue technician was lowered from the Skymed helicopter, finding the hikers safe but in need of immediate evacuation.
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The two women were first hoisted into the helicopter, followed by the man and the dog, who was secured to his back. All were safely transported to a landing zone at NSRI Hout Bay.
After debriefing at the NSRI station, the Skymed helicopter returned to base. The hikers were then driven to Sandy Bay parking to collect their car, requiring no further assistance.
This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of hiking trails. WSAR, Skymed and Metro EMS Control urge hikers to prepare thoroughly and prioritise safety.
They recommend registering with the Hikers Network/Safety Mountain and utilising their tracking services. For more information, visit Hikers Network Safety Mountain.
The hiking party expressed deep gratitude to all the rescue teams for their swift and professional response.
In a concurrent emergency, NSRI Hout Bay, including an NSRI paramedic, EMS and Hout Bay CCP, responded to an incident at a Hout Bay harbour restaurant.
A local woman was receiving CPR from bystanders, with assistance from a Red Cross Hospital doctor present at the scene. The paramedics successfully restored her pulse and spontaneous breathing, and she was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
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