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27 October 2023
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WSAR rescuers scrambled into action as Summer starts, Cape Town
Dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) responded to two call-outs on Sunday afternoon, 22 October 2023. Rescue 1: A small team on board the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was flown to Hoogekraal Farm near Durbanville after a mountain biker fell and injured himself on Sunday afternoon. The 48-year-old mountain biker was descending Cobra, Hoogekraal’s most technical MTB single track when he fell.
According to Trailforks, the trail is rated as ‘black diamond’ and is revered for its tight switchbacks, rock gardens and a tricky rock slab into a tight corner. A call for help was made to the emergency number: 021 937 0300.
The rescue team were hoisted down to a point close to the injured mountain biker. He was assessed and treated by a paramedic before being placed into a stretcher and hoisted up into the helicopter. He was flown to a nearby landing zone and transferred to an ambulance. The incident was concluded at 15h26.
Rescue 2
Rescuer teams were dispatched to Theresa Avenue above Camps Bay on Sunday afternoon after a hiking group reported that one of their members had injured herself while scrambling up the Porcupine Anvil route.
The 45-year-old hiker had stepped and twisted awkwardly in the steep terrain, injuring her back. Unable to continue and in significant pain, a call was made to the emergency number.
Rescuers quickly hiked up to the group of seven hikers. Once on scene they found that the group had been able to brace the injury and were slowly assist the injured hiker back down the trail in Porcupine Ravine.
The team assessed the injured hiker, before continuing slowly down the trail back to the vehicles. The hikers were driven back to their cars and the injured hiker was driven home by her friends. The incident was concluded at 16h30.
According to a WSAR spokesperson, David Nel, “We’ve seen an increase in the number of calls in the past two weeks. Outdoor enthusiasts have been taking advantage of the sunny and clear conditions, after a long and wet winter. We want to remind everyone that some sections of the trails may still be wet, slippery, and damaged and we urge everyone to take care. Most importantly, make sure that you have the correct emergency number saved to you phone: 021 937 0300. We would like to wish both patients a speedy recovery,” Nel said.
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue WSAR Western Cape
According to Trailforks, the trail is rated as ‘black diamond’ and is revered for its tight switchbacks, rock gardens and a tricky rock slab into a tight corner. A call for help was made to the emergency number: 021 937 0300.
The rescue team were hoisted down to a point close to the injured mountain biker. He was assessed and treated by a paramedic before being placed into a stretcher and hoisted up into the helicopter. He was flown to a nearby landing zone and transferred to an ambulance. The incident was concluded at 15h26.
Rescue 2
Rescuer teams were dispatched to Theresa Avenue above Camps Bay on Sunday afternoon after a hiking group reported that one of their members had injured herself while scrambling up the Porcupine Anvil route.
The 45-year-old hiker had stepped and twisted awkwardly in the steep terrain, injuring her back. Unable to continue and in significant pain, a call was made to the emergency number.
Rescuers quickly hiked up to the group of seven hikers. Once on scene they found that the group had been able to brace the injury and were slowly assist the injured hiker back down the trail in Porcupine Ravine.
The team assessed the injured hiker, before continuing slowly down the trail back to the vehicles. The hikers were driven back to their cars and the injured hiker was driven home by her friends. The incident was concluded at 16h30.
According to a WSAR spokesperson, David Nel, “We’ve seen an increase in the number of calls in the past two weeks. Outdoor enthusiasts have been taking advantage of the sunny and clear conditions, after a long and wet winter. We want to remind everyone that some sections of the trails may still be wet, slippery, and damaged and we urge everyone to take care. Most importantly, make sure that you have the correct emergency number saved to you phone: 021 937 0300. We would like to wish both patients a speedy recovery,” Nel said.
Source: Wilderness Search and Rescue WSAR Western Cape