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7 June 2025
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Triple rescues as winter descends over weekend by Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)
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Teams of dedicated volunteers and professionals from Wilderness Search And Rescue responded to three incidents in cold wintery conditions on Sunday 1 June 2025. Incident 1: Fallen hiker flown from Devil’s Peak; Incident 2: Stranded hikers guided from Table Mountain and Incident 3: Exhausted hiker assisted down mountain trail near Robertson. According to David Nel, a spokesperson for Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape, “We want to remind all outdoor enthusiasts that the seasons have changed and ask them to plan accordingly.”
Incident 1: Fallen hiker flown from Devil’s Peak
Rescue teams responded to Devil’s Peak after receiving reports that a 53-year-old hiker had slipped and fallen 12m while attempting to bypass an overgrown section on the 580m Traverse. The hiker and her family were making their way from the Saddle to Oppelskop when they encountered the heavily vegetated section of trail. While attempting to step past the overgrowth she slipped from the narrow trail and tumbled twelve metres down the steep slope. An urgent call was made to the emergency number – 021 937 0300.
Small teams on board the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter, including paramedics and rescue climbers, were flown to scene and hoisted down to a point close to the hiker.
Rescuers used ropes to secure themselves and the injured hiker on the steep mountainside while Western Cape Government Health and Wellness paramedics carefully assessed and treated her.
She was carefully placed into a rescue stretcher and hoisted via helicopter to a nearby landing zone. Upon arrival at the landing zone, she was transferred to a waiting ambulance and driven to the hospital. The incident was concluded with all teams safely off the mountain at 12h50 on Sunday afternoon.
Incident 2: Stranded hikers guided from Table Mountain
Rescue teams responded to Constantia Neck after a mixed group of local and foreign hikers reported being stranded on Table Mountain while attempting to follow a popular online trail app late on Sunday. The group of four hikers, aged between 18 and 23 from Cape Town and America, had attempted to hike up Skeleton Gorge and across Table Mountain to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Upper Cable Station, starting at 12h00 on Sunday afternoon.
After struggled with intermittent mobile phone signal, they were significantly delayed while trying to follow directions.
While making their way along Smuts Track toward Maclear's Beacon it started to get dark. Realising that they were not going to make it to the Upper Cable Station in time to catch the last cable car down the mountain, a call was made to the emergency number – 021 937 0300.
Rescuer teams drove up the back of Table Mountain to the dams and swiftly made their way to locate the stranded hikers at Maclear’s Beacon. Once the group had been found, rescuers gave the hikers torches, warm clothing, snacks and water. Once everyone had had a chance to refuel and warm up, the group were guided back to the dams and driven down the mountain. The incident was concluded at 23h22 on Sunday evening.
Incident 3: Exhausted hiker assisted down mountain trail near Robertson
Rescuers responded to the Dassieshoek Nature Reserve near Robertson, after a group of hikers reported that a member of their party was exhausted and struggling to continue down from the Arangieskop Hut on Sunday afternoon. The group of seven had hiked up to the hut on Saturday, spent the night and were making their way down the mountain on Sunday when the 66-year-old hiker started to show signs of fatigue. Worried that her condition may deteriorate, the group called the emergency number – 021 937 0300.
Rescuers were placed on standby while a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS medic made his way up to meet the party. The group were given torches and slowly assisted down the rest of the trail. The incident was concluded when everyone was safely off the mountain at 21h05 on Sunday. “We thank our teams for their continued dedication and wish our patient a speedy recovery", said Nel.
Nel added, “Keep in mind that the days are shorter, so plan your outdoor activities for earlier in the day. Check the weather forecasts. Be mindful that the trails are wet and will be slippery in places. Make sure to pack a torch and an extra warm layer of clothing before venturing outdoors. Most importantly, ensure you save the correct emergency number and don’t wait, call us sooner: Tel: 021 937 0300.”
Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300
Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue. Show your support: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/sos-for-life-saving-equipment
Photos by Adam Griffin, Chris Jacobs and MCSA
Source: WSAR
Incident 1: Fallen hiker flown from Devil’s Peak
Rescue teams responded to Devil’s Peak after receiving reports that a 53-year-old hiker had slipped and fallen 12m while attempting to bypass an overgrown section on the 580m Traverse. The hiker and her family were making their way from the Saddle to Oppelskop when they encountered the heavily vegetated section of trail. While attempting to step past the overgrowth she slipped from the narrow trail and tumbled twelve metres down the steep slope. An urgent call was made to the emergency number – 021 937 0300.
Small teams on board the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter, including paramedics and rescue climbers, were flown to scene and hoisted down to a point close to the hiker.
Rescuers used ropes to secure themselves and the injured hiker on the steep mountainside while Western Cape Government Health and Wellness paramedics carefully assessed and treated her.
She was carefully placed into a rescue stretcher and hoisted via helicopter to a nearby landing zone. Upon arrival at the landing zone, she was transferred to a waiting ambulance and driven to the hospital. The incident was concluded with all teams safely off the mountain at 12h50 on Sunday afternoon.
Incident 2: Stranded hikers guided from Table Mountain
Rescue teams responded to Constantia Neck after a mixed group of local and foreign hikers reported being stranded on Table Mountain while attempting to follow a popular online trail app late on Sunday. The group of four hikers, aged between 18 and 23 from Cape Town and America, had attempted to hike up Skeleton Gorge and across Table Mountain to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Upper Cable Station, starting at 12h00 on Sunday afternoon.
After struggled with intermittent mobile phone signal, they were significantly delayed while trying to follow directions.
While making their way along Smuts Track toward Maclear's Beacon it started to get dark. Realising that they were not going to make it to the Upper Cable Station in time to catch the last cable car down the mountain, a call was made to the emergency number – 021 937 0300.
Rescuer teams drove up the back of Table Mountain to the dams and swiftly made their way to locate the stranded hikers at Maclear’s Beacon. Once the group had been found, rescuers gave the hikers torches, warm clothing, snacks and water. Once everyone had had a chance to refuel and warm up, the group were guided back to the dams and driven down the mountain. The incident was concluded at 23h22 on Sunday evening.
Incident 3: Exhausted hiker assisted down mountain trail near Robertson
Rescuers responded to the Dassieshoek Nature Reserve near Robertson, after a group of hikers reported that a member of their party was exhausted and struggling to continue down from the Arangieskop Hut on Sunday afternoon. The group of seven had hiked up to the hut on Saturday, spent the night and were making their way down the mountain on Sunday when the 66-year-old hiker started to show signs of fatigue. Worried that her condition may deteriorate, the group called the emergency number – 021 937 0300.
Rescuers were placed on standby while a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS medic made his way up to meet the party. The group were given torches and slowly assisted down the rest of the trail. The incident was concluded when everyone was safely off the mountain at 21h05 on Sunday. “We thank our teams for their continued dedication and wish our patient a speedy recovery", said Nel.
Nel added, “Keep in mind that the days are shorter, so plan your outdoor activities for earlier in the day. Check the weather forecasts. Be mindful that the trails are wet and will be slippery in places. Make sure to pack a torch and an extra warm layer of clothing before venturing outdoors. Most importantly, ensure you save the correct emergency number and don’t wait, call us sooner: Tel: 021 937 0300.”
Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300
Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue. Show your support: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/sos-for-life-saving-equipment
Photos by Adam Griffin, Chris Jacobs and MCSA
Source: WSAR