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19 January 2024
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Wilderness Search and Rescue: Back-to-back rescues, on the run
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Dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) have had a busy start to the new year, having already responded to four incidents ie three stranded hikers driven from Helderberg College forest, an injured 47-year-old hiker flown from remote mountain trail near McGregor, a 33-year-old hiker flown from Lion’s Head and an overdue hiker found deceased in Helderberg Nature Reserve.
Incident 1: Three stranded hikers driven from Helderberg College forest
On Tuesday, 2 January 2024, WSAR teams responded to the Helderberg Nature Reserve after a group of three hikers aged between 25 and 32, reported being lost. The group had started their hike earlier on Tuesday morning from the Helderberg Nature Reserve and called the emergency number Tel: 021 937 0300 when they were not able to find their way back to the intended trail.
A small rescue team drove up to locate the stranded trio in the Helderberg College forest. Once the rescuers had located the hikers, they were driven down the jeep track and back to their vehicles at the reserve parking. The incident was concluded at 14h20.
Incident 2: injured 47-year-old hiker flown from remote mountain trail near McGregor
A small rescue team on board the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to a remote trail close to the town of McGregor, Western Cape, after a visiting hiker from Gauteng slipped and injured his leg while crossing a stream on Wednesday afternoon. The group of four had hiked to a waterfall and were returning when the 47-year-old hiker stepped awkwardly on a wet rock. Realising that he was unable to continue, members of his hiking party hiked for some time before they had signal to call the emergency number Tel: 021 937 0300.
The rescuers were hoisted down to a point close to the injured hiker. He was assessed and treated on scene, before being helped into a rescue harness and hoisted up into the helicopter. He was flown to a nearby landing zone, assisted to an ambulance and driven to hospital. The incident was concluded shortly before sunset.
Incident 3: 33-year-old hiker flown from Lion’s Head
Rescue teams responded to Lion’s Head after a 33-year-old hiker slipped and injured his leg while descending the popular hiking trail on Thursday morning. A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to a point close to the injured hiker.
He was assessed and treated on scene before being helped into a rescue harness. Both rescuers and the injured hiker were flown from the hiking trail to a nearby landing zone. The injured hiker was driven to hospital by family members. The incident was concluded at 10h26.
Incident 4: overdue hiker found deceased in Helderberg Nature Reserve
Teams of rescuers responded to the Helderberg Nature Reserve late on Thursday evening after a hiker was reported overdue. One of the first search teams to arrive on scene were Sage, an 11-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer and her handler from K9 Search and Rescue Association of South Africa. The duo, accompanied by a reserve ranger, were immediately dispatched as a hasty team to cover areas that had not yet been checked by the park rangers.
Within minutes of starting out in the dark, K9 Sage successfully located the missing hiker. Unfortunately, the hiker was found deceased. The incident was concluded shortly before 02h00.
David Nel, a spokesperson for Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), said, “Traditionally we experience higher numbers of callouts in January and we urge all wilderness enthusiasts to take extra care when heading outdoors, especially on warmer days. Start earlier and avoid strenuous activity during the warmest hours of the day. For moderate outdoor activities carry at least 500ml of water for every hour you intend to be outdoors, slow down and remember to rest. Dress appropriately; wear a hat and closed shoes and apply sunblock regularly. Choose activities and trails in shaded areas or near water. Always keep to the trails and make sure you’ve saved the emergency number Tel: 021 937 0300 to your phones. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the friends and family of the deceased at this sad time”, said Nel.
Donations can save lives. Now via special WSAR Back-A-Buddy platform: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/sos-for-life-saving-equipment.
Please support us - https://wsar.org.za/support-us/
Photos by Hugo Vaughan, Hendre Zoutendyk and K9 Search and Rescue Association of South Africa.
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)
Incident 1: Three stranded hikers driven from Helderberg College forest
On Tuesday, 2 January 2024, WSAR teams responded to the Helderberg Nature Reserve after a group of three hikers aged between 25 and 32, reported being lost. The group had started their hike earlier on Tuesday morning from the Helderberg Nature Reserve and called the emergency number Tel: 021 937 0300 when they were not able to find their way back to the intended trail.
A small rescue team drove up to locate the stranded trio in the Helderberg College forest. Once the rescuers had located the hikers, they were driven down the jeep track and back to their vehicles at the reserve parking. The incident was concluded at 14h20.
Incident 2: injured 47-year-old hiker flown from remote mountain trail near McGregor
A small rescue team on board the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to a remote trail close to the town of McGregor, Western Cape, after a visiting hiker from Gauteng slipped and injured his leg while crossing a stream on Wednesday afternoon. The group of four had hiked to a waterfall and were returning when the 47-year-old hiker stepped awkwardly on a wet rock. Realising that he was unable to continue, members of his hiking party hiked for some time before they had signal to call the emergency number Tel: 021 937 0300.
The rescuers were hoisted down to a point close to the injured hiker. He was assessed and treated on scene, before being helped into a rescue harness and hoisted up into the helicopter. He was flown to a nearby landing zone, assisted to an ambulance and driven to hospital. The incident was concluded shortly before sunset.
Incident 3: 33-year-old hiker flown from Lion’s Head
Rescue teams responded to Lion’s Head after a 33-year-old hiker slipped and injured his leg while descending the popular hiking trail on Thursday morning. A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to a point close to the injured hiker.
He was assessed and treated on scene before being helped into a rescue harness. Both rescuers and the injured hiker were flown from the hiking trail to a nearby landing zone. The injured hiker was driven to hospital by family members. The incident was concluded at 10h26.
Incident 4: overdue hiker found deceased in Helderberg Nature Reserve
Teams of rescuers responded to the Helderberg Nature Reserve late on Thursday evening after a hiker was reported overdue. One of the first search teams to arrive on scene were Sage, an 11-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer and her handler from K9 Search and Rescue Association of South Africa. The duo, accompanied by a reserve ranger, were immediately dispatched as a hasty team to cover areas that had not yet been checked by the park rangers.
Within minutes of starting out in the dark, K9 Sage successfully located the missing hiker. Unfortunately, the hiker was found deceased. The incident was concluded shortly before 02h00.
David Nel, a spokesperson for Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), said, “Traditionally we experience higher numbers of callouts in January and we urge all wilderness enthusiasts to take extra care when heading outdoors, especially on warmer days. Start earlier and avoid strenuous activity during the warmest hours of the day. For moderate outdoor activities carry at least 500ml of water for every hour you intend to be outdoors, slow down and remember to rest. Dress appropriately; wear a hat and closed shoes and apply sunblock regularly. Choose activities and trails in shaded areas or near water. Always keep to the trails and make sure you’ve saved the emergency number Tel: 021 937 0300 to your phones. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the friends and family of the deceased at this sad time”, said Nel.
Donations can save lives. Now via special WSAR Back-A-Buddy platform: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/sos-for-life-saving-equipment.
Please support us - https://wsar.org.za/support-us/
Photos by Hugo Vaughan, Hendre Zoutendyk and K9 Search and Rescue Association of South Africa.
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)