Wilderness Search and Resue (WSAR) has urged the public to be extra cautious in cold, wet, windy and misty conditions after a series of incidents that left hikers in dire need of assistance.
Also read: WSAR rescues elderly hikers during busy weekend on Cape mountains
In the first incident, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS paramedics responded to the base of Platteklip Gorge early on Saturday morning after receiving reports of a collapsed hiker.
The hiker and her family had hiked up Devil’s Peak and were descending Platteklip Gorge when she suddenly fainted.
Two passing hikers immediately realised the urgency and stopped to assist. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) commenced, and an urgent call was made to the emergency number, 021 937 0300.
‘As my husband was busy attempting to resuscitate, he tells me a lady with blonde hair, her significant other and their dog stopped by to assist,’ said Lizel Kosny.
‘The lady didn’t walk past, she stopped and assisted with the resuscitation until I became lucid again, by providing among other, sugar ice tea and winegums, she also called the paramedics whilst my husband was performing CPR and coordinated getting the medics to the right location.
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‘The Cardiologist told us today that had they not managed to get me breathing when they did, I would probably not be here writing this message.
‘Lady, I do not know who you are, I cannot remember you or what you did, but I would really like to meet you and personally thank you for helping save my life.’
She was assisted down the path to the waiting ambulance and driven to hospital.
Later, rescuers responded to Table Mountain after a visiting 35-year-old Chinese tourist was reported missing on Saturday afternoon.
The foreign tour group had been given an hour to explore the top of Table Mountain before meeting back at the Upper Cable Station at 4pm. The man was separated from the rest of the group and became completely disorientated in the thick mist.
He contacted the guide at 4:30pm, expressing his difficulty in finding his way back.
After losing contact with him, the guide called the emergency number.
Moments before the rescuers began searching for the missing tourist, the guide received a message stating that the missing person had successfully located the Upper Cable Station.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway brought him down the mountain in the cable car.
Then, teams were dispatched to Table Mountain on Sunday morning after a 23-year-old hiker collapsed near the top of Platteklip Gorge.
She and her four friends had been hiking up the popular trail and were nearing the summit when she suddenly collapsed.
Passing trail runners stopped to assist. After regaining consciousness, she was slowly assisted up the rest of the trail.
The rescue team met the group of hikers and trail runners at the chains and assisted the patient back to the Upper Cable Station in a wheelchair.
She and the group were transported down the mountain in the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway cable car.
She was assisted to a waiting ambulance and transported to hospital.
In the fourth incident, Wilderness Search And Rescue was contacted after a trail runner was reported overdue on Sunday evening.
The runner had decided not to carry his cell phone.
After an interview process, a decision was taken to allow a little more time before commencing the search.
He was reported safe shortly after, and the teams stood down.
‘We’ve seen the impact that the cold, wet and misty conditions have had recently and we urge all wilderness enthusiasts to take care and dress appropriately when heading outdoors,’ said WSAR spokesperson David Nel.
‘Wear those waterproof layers and always carry an extra warm layer with you.’
‘Please remember to eat and drink regularly, we use more energy keeping warm in cold and wet conditions.’
‘This Mandela Day we’re asking everyone to show their support for the dedicated Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) rescuer teams by making a small contribution to their fundraising campaign.’
‘If everyone reading this contributes as little as R67, we’ll quickly reach our goal.’
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Picture: WSAR / David Nel