Fire and Rescue International
  • Home
  • Magazines
    • FRI Magazine
    • DMJ Magazine
  • Newsletters
    • 15 September 2023
    • 8 September 2023
    • 25 August 2023
    • 18 August 2023
    • 11 August 2023
    • 4 August 2023
    • 28 July 2023
    • 21 July 2023
    • 14 July 2023
    • 7 July 2023
    • 30 June 2023
    • 23 June 2023
    • 15 June 2023
    • 2 June 2023
    • 26 May 2023
    • 19 May 2023
    • 12 May 2023
    • 5 May 2023
    • 28 April 2023
    • 21 April 2023
    • 14 April 2023
    • 6 April 2023
    • 31 March 2023
    • 24 March 2023
    • 17 March 2023
    • 10 March 2023
    • 3 March 2023
    • 24 February 2023
    • 17 February 2023
    • 10 February 2023
    • 3 February 2023
    • 27 January 2023
    • 13 January 2023
    • 22 December 2022
    • 15 December 2022
    • 9 December 2022
    • 2 December 2022
    • 25 November 2022
    • 18 November 2022
    • 11 November 2022
    • 4 November 2022
  • Advertising
    • Fire and Rescue International
    • Disaster Management
    • FRI Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Articles
  • Galleries
    • Drager Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge 2023
      • Presentation
      • Tower Challenge
      • Mobile Training Challenge
      • Fitness Challenge
      • General
      • Group
      • Prize Giving
    • AOSH Firexpo 2023
    • Midvaal Fit to Fight Fire
      • Midvaal Challenge
      • Midvaal General Photos
      • Midvaal Team Photos
      • Midvaal Prize Giving
    • WC IFFD 2023
    • NMU 13th Fire Management Symposium 2022
    • JOIFF Africa Conference 2022
    • ETS 2022 Gallery
      • ETS 2022 Main Scenario
      • ETS 2022 Fire Fighter Challenge
      • ETS 2022 Skills Event
      • ETS 2022 Exhibitors/demonstrations
      • ETS 2022 Team Photos
      • ETS 2022 General Photos
      • ETS 2022 Awards Ceremony
    • TFA 2022 Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Main Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Group Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Mini TFA
      • TFA 2022 Awards Gallery
    • IFFD 2018
      • Western Cape
    • SAESI
    • TFA
      • TFA 2018
      • TFA 2019
        • TFA 2019 Start
        • TFA 2019 Stage 1
        • TFA 2019 Stage 2
        • TFA 2019 Stage 3
        • TFA 2019 Awards
        • TFA 2019 General
        • TFA 2019 Group
    • WRC 2018
    • WRC 2019
    • A-OSH/Securex
    • IFE AGM 2019
    • ETS Ind Fire Comp Nov 2019
    • ETS Challenge 2021
    • Drager launch
    • Drager Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge 2022
  • TFA
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Magazines
    • FRI Magazine
    • DMJ Magazine
  • Newsletters
    • 15 September 2023
    • 8 September 2023
    • 25 August 2023
    • 18 August 2023
    • 11 August 2023
    • 4 August 2023
    • 28 July 2023
    • 21 July 2023
    • 14 July 2023
    • 7 July 2023
    • 30 June 2023
    • 23 June 2023
    • 15 June 2023
    • 2 June 2023
    • 26 May 2023
    • 19 May 2023
    • 12 May 2023
    • 5 May 2023
    • 28 April 2023
    • 21 April 2023
    • 14 April 2023
    • 6 April 2023
    • 31 March 2023
    • 24 March 2023
    • 17 March 2023
    • 10 March 2023
    • 3 March 2023
    • 24 February 2023
    • 17 February 2023
    • 10 February 2023
    • 3 February 2023
    • 27 January 2023
    • 13 January 2023
    • 22 December 2022
    • 15 December 2022
    • 9 December 2022
    • 2 December 2022
    • 25 November 2022
    • 18 November 2022
    • 11 November 2022
    • 4 November 2022
  • Advertising
    • Fire and Rescue International
    • Disaster Management
    • FRI Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Articles
  • Galleries
    • Drager Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge 2023
      • Presentation
      • Tower Challenge
      • Mobile Training Challenge
      • Fitness Challenge
      • General
      • Group
      • Prize Giving
    • AOSH Firexpo 2023
    • Midvaal Fit to Fight Fire
      • Midvaal Challenge
      • Midvaal General Photos
      • Midvaal Team Photos
      • Midvaal Prize Giving
    • WC IFFD 2023
    • NMU 13th Fire Management Symposium 2022
    • JOIFF Africa Conference 2022
    • ETS 2022 Gallery
      • ETS 2022 Main Scenario
      • ETS 2022 Fire Fighter Challenge
      • ETS 2022 Skills Event
      • ETS 2022 Exhibitors/demonstrations
      • ETS 2022 Team Photos
      • ETS 2022 General Photos
      • ETS 2022 Awards Ceremony
    • TFA 2022 Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Main Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Group Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Mini TFA
      • TFA 2022 Awards Gallery
    • IFFD 2018
      • Western Cape
    • SAESI
    • TFA
      • TFA 2018
      • TFA 2019
        • TFA 2019 Start
        • TFA 2019 Stage 1
        • TFA 2019 Stage 2
        • TFA 2019 Stage 3
        • TFA 2019 Awards
        • TFA 2019 General
        • TFA 2019 Group
    • WRC 2018
    • WRC 2019
    • A-OSH/Securex
    • IFE AGM 2019
    • ETS Ind Fire Comp Nov 2019
    • ETS Challenge 2021
    • Drager launch
    • Drager Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge 2022
  • TFA
  • Contact
Search

Proudly serving those who serve

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

14 July 2023
Back to newsletter​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Cape Town hiker injured after three-metre fall on Otter Trail, Garden Route

Picture
Dedicated teams from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) in the Garden Route responded to an incident on the Otter Trail after a 54 year-old hiker fell and injured herself on day four of the five-day hike. The Otter Trail, situated in the Tsitsikamma National Park, is a hiking trail along the Garden Route coast and is named after the Cape clawless otter which occurs in this region. This trail is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world and stretches from Storms River mouth in the east to Nature's Valley in the west.
 
The group of eleven hikers from Cape Town had departed the Oakhurst Hut at 06h00 on Thursday morning, 6 July 2023, intending to cross the Bloukrans River mouth at low tide later in the day.
 
According to Genie Johnson, “We’d covered about 6km when my walking stick suddenly slipped out from under me. The next thing I slipped and rolled uncontrollably off the edge, tumbling down three metres. A friend in front of me, Achmat Jackson, turned and realised I was no longer on the trail behind him. He found my walking stick and then spotted me lying unconscious below the path. He scrambled down to me and helped me back up to a point where I could sit down”, Johnson said.
 
Realising that she was injured and unable to continue, a member of the group contacted SafetyMountain Tracking, a WhatsApp-based service that tracks hikers and other mountain users. The call was immediately referred to the emergency call centre (021 937 0300) and handed over to the Garden Route rescue teams.
 
A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter from Oudtshoorn was flown to scene and hoisted down to the patient. She was assessed and treated, before being hoisted up into the helicopter and flown to a nearby landing zone. She was helped to a waiting ambulance and transported to hospital for further treatment.
 
The incident was concluded at 14h45.
 
The rest of the hiking group safely complete the five day hike.
 
Praising those involved in her rescue, Johnson said, “Everyone, the rescuers, the SANParks rangers, the helicopter crew, the ambulance staff, was so professional and so kind. They went out of their way to help me. I was taken to the Knysna Provincial Hospital and the staff were superstars. I was helped almost immediately; they did x-rays and were very thorough about checking up on me throughout my stay. I’m bruised and still quite sore but happy to be back at home”, said Johnson.
 
A spokesperson for Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), David Nel, said, “The hiking group did well to look after Eugenia and make her comfortable until the rescuers arrived. Outdoor trails will remain wet and slippery for the foreseeable future, and we urge all outdoor enthusiasts to take care. A big thank you to the passionate teams of rescuers who continue to contribute to wilderness safety in the Western Cape. We wish Genie a speedy recovery”, Nel said.
 
Photos provided by Theodore Schilder, SANPARKS Rangers, Richard Botha and Genie Johnson
 
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR

Back to newsletter​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Quick navigation

  • Home
  • FRI magazine
  • DMJ magazine
  • Articles
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Contact

Social

Who are we?

FRI Media (Pty) Ltd is an independent publisher of technical magazines including the well-read and respected Fire and Rescue International, its weekly FRI Newsletter and the Disaster Management Journal. We also offer a complete marketing and publishing package, which include design, printing and corporate wear and gifts.

Weekly FRI Newsletter

Subscribe to the newsletter free of charge!
© Copyright 2018 Fire and Rescue International. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Magazines
    • FRI Magazine
    • DMJ Magazine
  • Newsletters
    • 15 September 2023
    • 8 September 2023
    • 25 August 2023
    • 18 August 2023
    • 11 August 2023
    • 4 August 2023
    • 28 July 2023
    • 21 July 2023
    • 14 July 2023
    • 7 July 2023
    • 30 June 2023
    • 23 June 2023
    • 15 June 2023
    • 2 June 2023
    • 26 May 2023
    • 19 May 2023
    • 12 May 2023
    • 5 May 2023
    • 28 April 2023
    • 21 April 2023
    • 14 April 2023
    • 6 April 2023
    • 31 March 2023
    • 24 March 2023
    • 17 March 2023
    • 10 March 2023
    • 3 March 2023
    • 24 February 2023
    • 17 February 2023
    • 10 February 2023
    • 3 February 2023
    • 27 January 2023
    • 13 January 2023
    • 22 December 2022
    • 15 December 2022
    • 9 December 2022
    • 2 December 2022
    • 25 November 2022
    • 18 November 2022
    • 11 November 2022
    • 4 November 2022
  • Advertising
    • Fire and Rescue International
    • Disaster Management
    • FRI Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Articles
  • Galleries
    • Drager Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge 2023
      • Presentation
      • Tower Challenge
      • Mobile Training Challenge
      • Fitness Challenge
      • General
      • Group
      • Prize Giving
    • AOSH Firexpo 2023
    • Midvaal Fit to Fight Fire
      • Midvaal Challenge
      • Midvaal General Photos
      • Midvaal Team Photos
      • Midvaal Prize Giving
    • WC IFFD 2023
    • NMU 13th Fire Management Symposium 2022
    • JOIFF Africa Conference 2022
    • ETS 2022 Gallery
      • ETS 2022 Main Scenario
      • ETS 2022 Fire Fighter Challenge
      • ETS 2022 Skills Event
      • ETS 2022 Exhibitors/demonstrations
      • ETS 2022 Team Photos
      • ETS 2022 General Photos
      • ETS 2022 Awards Ceremony
    • TFA 2022 Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Main Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Group Gallery
      • TFA 2022 Mini TFA
      • TFA 2022 Awards Gallery
    • IFFD 2018
      • Western Cape
    • SAESI
    • TFA
      • TFA 2018
      • TFA 2019
        • TFA 2019 Start
        • TFA 2019 Stage 1
        • TFA 2019 Stage 2
        • TFA 2019 Stage 3
        • TFA 2019 Awards
        • TFA 2019 General
        • TFA 2019 Group
    • WRC 2018
    • WRC 2019
    • A-OSH/Securex
    • IFE AGM 2019
    • ETS Ind Fire Comp Nov 2019
    • ETS Challenge 2021
    • Drager launch
    • Drager Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge 2022
  • TFA
  • Contact