Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) teams of professionals and volunteers were dispatched late Saturday afternoon to assist a 29-year-old tourist who fell on the skywalk high up on the mountain and broke his arm.
According to WSAR, the visitor was severely unprepared as he was hiking alone with no water and no pre-planned route, thus breaking the “golden rules” of hiking and climbing.
Also read: Hikers suffer broken legs after boulder falls and shatters in Stellenbosch
The hiker claimed that he had arrived in Cape Town earlier that day and had headed straight for the mountain, despite coming from a much colder climate and the city experiencing extreme temperatures on the day.
While on his hike, he stumbled and fell, breaking his arm, and a WSAR team on board the Western Cape Department of Health EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene.
Once in position, a rescue climber and paramedic were hoisted from the aircraft down to the patient. He was evaluated on the scene before being lifted into the helicopter in a rescue harness.
He was flown to a nearby landing zone and then driven to the hospital by ambulance.
According to WSAR spokesperson David Nel, he most likely started from Tafelberg Road, a vague, overgrown trail high up on the mountain away from the more popular trails.
“It was really hot, and the rescue team found it strange that he had no backpack and no water with him,” said Nel.
He continued, “We’re blessed to have such a beautiful and enticing mountain park in the middle of Cape Town. Visitors often forget that although Table Mountain is in the middle of the city, it is still a mountain and deserving of respect. While we encourage everyone, locals and visitors, to explore our beautiful mountain, these important principles should always be followed.”
Some of the principles include:
- Never hike alone, and always keep to the trails.
- Avoid hiking through the warmest hours of the day, dress appropriately, and carry more water than you think you’ll need.
- Pack extra warm clothing to prepare for weather changes.
- Make sure you have the emergency phone number (021 937 0300) saved to a fully charged cell phone.
Nel and the WSAR team wished the patient a speedy recovery.
Picture: Wilderness Search And Rescue / Brent Russel