Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) had its hands full with three incidents over the weekend. The weekend ended on a particularly sour note when members were mugged on Lions Head on Sunday evening.
Also read: WSAR rescues elderly hikers during busy weekend on Cape mountains
Teams were first dispatched to Lion’s Head on Saturday morning after a 61-year-old hiker miss-stepped while descending a steep section of an alternate trail and injured herself.
Realising that she was unable to proceed any further, the members of her group immediately called the emergency number.
Rescuers quickly hiked up to the injured hiker.
A small team of rescuers on board the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to the scene and hoisted down to a point close to the patient.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these amazing offers inspire you. Get them here.
She was helped into a rescue harness and hoisted up into the helicopter, before being flown directly to hospital.
While teams were busy with the first call on Lion’s Head, a second call for assistance was received.
A local hiker, believed to be in her twenties, slipped and injured her lower limb while descending Platteklip Gorge on Table Mountain.
Several rescuers were diverted from the Lion’s Head incident to the Lower Cable Station and were quickly ferried up the mountain in the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway cable car.
Once on scene, rescuers requested the assistance of the helicopter.
The injured hiker was helped into a rescue harness and hoisted up into the helicopter.
Explore the Cape with these incredible car deals, all priced under 100k. Find car listings here.
She was flown to a nearby landing zone, before being transported to hospital in an ambulance.
On Sunday evening, rescue teams were again dispatched to Lion’s Head after 24-year-old foreign hiker injured her ankle when she slipped while descending a ladder halfway down the trail.
Rescuers hiked up to her. She was assessed and treated, before being assisted slowly back to a waiting vehicle and driven back down to the parking.
‘Sadly three members, who were involved in the Lion’s Head rescue on Sunday evening were mugged soon after the incident was concluded,’ said David Nel, a spokesperson for Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR).“We are saddened and outraged by this cowardly act.’
‘We stand in solidarity with our rescue teams, who offer such commitment and service to the public in need.
‘We trust that our partners in SAPS and all law-enforcement agencies will do their utmost to apprehend this dangerous, armed perpetrator.
‘We wish all the patients a speedy recovery,’ Nel said.
Also read:
Picture: Jason Collins / WSAR