Wilderness Search and Rescue Western Cape has urged outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution when venturing outdoors as its dedicated team of professionals and volunteers responds to five more incidents since the weekend.
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Incident 1: Judas Peak
On Monday evening, team members arrived at Table Mountain after three hikers reported getting lost near Judas Peak. The group was led back to their vehicles parked near the huts and driven down the mountain by rescuers.
Incident 2: Platteklip Gorge
Rescuers helped a 72-year-old hiker suffering from cramps in Platteklip Gorge on Tuesday afternoon. He was helped up to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and transported down the mountain in the cable car after being attended to by a paramedic.
Incident 3: India Venster hiking trail
While teams were assisting the elderly hiker, a 41-year-old solo hiker on the India Venster hiking trail called for assistance. He was unable to continue due to severe cramps. The patient was hoisted from the mountain and flown to a nearby landing zone by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS-Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter.
Incident 4: Maclear’s Beacon
Rescuers were called to Maclear’s Beacon at 5:30pm on Tuesday after three tourists reported getting lost. The team quickly located the foreigners and safely guided them back to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
Incident 5: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
Shortly after the Maclear’s Beacon rescue, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) professionals and volunteers responded to an incident in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve late on Tuesday after three visiting students reported being stuck high up on a mountain peak in the reserve. The three exchange students, who were all in their early twenties, had begun their walk to the Jonkershoek Pieke early Tuesday morning.
They started up Langrivier Kloof and struggled to find their intended descent path after reaching the summit. The students decided to call for assistance after two failed attempts, and they realised they wouldn’t be able to descend before dark.
Immediately, rescuers were dispatched to the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
The rescue team hiked up the trail in the dark in search of the stranded hikers.
The lost hikers were able to describe their location to approaching rescue teams, which helped narrow the search area. The gentleman and two ladies were found shortly after midnight, with the team gradually guiding them back to the start of the hike.
Despite their exhaustion, the three visiting students were said to be in good spirits and grateful for being safely assisted down the mountain.
By 5:30am on Wednesday, all hikers and rescuers were safely off the mountain.
David Nel, a spokesperson for WSAR, said, ‘We’ve had a few really busy months, and while we urge all wilderness enthusiasts to take care, we want to remind everyone that there are teams of dedicated rescuers around the Western Cape ready to assist anyone who finds themselves in trouble while outdoors.’
Western Cape residents and visitors are reminded to save and share the WSAR Emergency Contact Number: 021 937 0300
WSAR relies on the generosity of others and is always incredibly grateful for the donations it receives. If you are able to donate and provide support, please access this link.
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Picture: Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape / Werner Badenhorst