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23 June 2023
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Fallen hiker rescued on Table Mountain from remote ledge high above Newlands, Cape Town
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Dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) responded to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens after a 24 year-old fell while hiking the Ledges hiking trail on Table Mountain on Saturday, 17 June 2023. Ledges is best described as a hike from the saddle between Devil's Peak and Table Mountain to the North-eastern tip of the front table and includes several steep scrambles. The hiker and her companion were scrambling up a steep section near the top of the route, high above Newlands, when she slipped and fell approximately two metres.
She injured her leg and was unable to continue. The pair immediately called for help.
A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to scene and hoisted down to the ledge.
Both hikers were hoisted from the remote ledge up into the helicopter and flown to a landing zone at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
A spokesperson for Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), David Nel, said, “While the team was busy with the rescue, a passing hiker interrupted the operation, insisting on down climbing to the ledge while the helicopter was hovering above. Thankfully the air crew spotted the lone hiker and despite their best efforts to gesture to her to move away or stop, she continued towards the hovering helicopter, just a few feet away.”
“The crew were able to manoeuvre the aircraft back from its position before the downwash blew her off the wet cliff. When she was down on the ledge, a team member positioned her safely out of the way.”
Once at the landing zone, team members assisted the injured hiker from the helicopter to a waiting ambulance. She was driven to hospital. The incident was concluded shortly after sunset.
“This incident very nearly ended in tragedy and illustrates the risk to any bystanders during emergency operations. We urge all passers-by to avoid emergency operations, for your own safety and that of the patients and crews. We wish the patient a speedy recovery”, Nel said.
Photos provided by Travis Talmarkes and David Nel
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)
She injured her leg and was unable to continue. The pair immediately called for help.
A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to scene and hoisted down to the ledge.
Both hikers were hoisted from the remote ledge up into the helicopter and flown to a landing zone at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
A spokesperson for Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), David Nel, said, “While the team was busy with the rescue, a passing hiker interrupted the operation, insisting on down climbing to the ledge while the helicopter was hovering above. Thankfully the air crew spotted the lone hiker and despite their best efforts to gesture to her to move away or stop, she continued towards the hovering helicopter, just a few feet away.”
“The crew were able to manoeuvre the aircraft back from its position before the downwash blew her off the wet cliff. When she was down on the ledge, a team member positioned her safely out of the way.”
Once at the landing zone, team members assisted the injured hiker from the helicopter to a waiting ambulance. She was driven to hospital. The incident was concluded shortly after sunset.
“This incident very nearly ended in tragedy and illustrates the risk to any bystanders during emergency operations. We urge all passers-by to avoid emergency operations, for your own safety and that of the patients and crews. We wish the patient a speedy recovery”, Nel said.
Photos provided by Travis Talmarkes and David Nel
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)
