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20 October 2023
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River claims hiker’s life, Robertson, Western Cape
Dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) responded to Robertson, Western Cape after a hiking group reported that one of their members had been swept from a water crossing on Saturday afternoon, 21 October 2023. The group of 15, had started their hike up to the Arangieskop Hut at 09h00 on Saturday morning.
“It had rained overnight. According to forecasts the rain was due to subside during the course of the morning. After walking for 1km they crossed a cattle grid bridge over a river and continued up the trail. Approximately 5km into the hike the group encountered a swollen river and decided to turn around and walk back down the trail. While trying to cross back over the cattle grid bridge, a 34 year-old hiker was swept from the crossing.”
“A member of the group immediately ran back up the trail looking for cell phone signal and called SafetyMountain Tracking for help. The call was transferred to the emergency call centre, Tel: 021 937 0300. While waiting for rescuers to arrive, the group conducted a search of the riverbank.”
“Once on scene, rescuers were able to set up a rope system across the river. Space blankets and other items to help keep the stranded group warm and dry were sent across the river. A drone from the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS Drone Unit was used to search for the missing hiker. Her body was located with the help of the drone and recovered by a SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services (WPDS) team in a small inflatable boat, before being handed over to SAPS on scene. The stranded hikers were able to cross the river at 16h00 once the water had subsided.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”
Photo taken at the start of the hike by another group. Photo credit: Brent Jennings
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)
“It had rained overnight. According to forecasts the rain was due to subside during the course of the morning. After walking for 1km they crossed a cattle grid bridge over a river and continued up the trail. Approximately 5km into the hike the group encountered a swollen river and decided to turn around and walk back down the trail. While trying to cross back over the cattle grid bridge, a 34 year-old hiker was swept from the crossing.”
“A member of the group immediately ran back up the trail looking for cell phone signal and called SafetyMountain Tracking for help. The call was transferred to the emergency call centre, Tel: 021 937 0300. While waiting for rescuers to arrive, the group conducted a search of the riverbank.”
“Once on scene, rescuers were able to set up a rope system across the river. Space blankets and other items to help keep the stranded group warm and dry were sent across the river. A drone from the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS Drone Unit was used to search for the missing hiker. Her body was located with the help of the drone and recovered by a SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services (WPDS) team in a small inflatable boat, before being handed over to SAPS on scene. The stranded hikers were able to cross the river at 16h00 once the water had subsided.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”
Photo taken at the start of the hike by another group. Photo credit: Brent Jennings
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)