Weekend rescues in the Western Cape: Hikers saved from dangerous conditions
Image: WSAR /Facebook
A series of dramatic rescues unfolded across the Western Cape this past weekend as Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) teams raced to save hikers stranded by swollen rivers, injured on popular trails, and lost overnight in the mountains.
'Time is a critical factor in any emergency, and calling the correct number ensures a faster, more efficient response that can make a significant difference to the outcome,' said WSAR spokesperson David Nel.
On Saturday morning, three hikers were left stranded in the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area above Porterville when heavy rain turned a river crossing into a dangerous obstacle.
A WSAR helicopter team hoists an injured hiker from Lion's Head after she slipped and broke her leg on Saturday.
Image: Facebook/WSAR
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The group, who had planned to finish their hike on Thursday, became trapped and eventually contacted family to explain the delay. When they still hadn't returned by Saturday, they were reported missing. Before a major ground search was launched, they confirmed they were safe.
Later that day, a 52-year-old woman slipped while descending Lion's Head and badly injured her leg. Quick-thinking members of the Bellville Voetslaanklub, who had recently attended a WSAR safety presentation, immediately provided the correct emergency number to her daughter.
A helicopter rescue team was swiftly dispatched, and the woman was airlifted to hospital after being stabilised on the mountain.
On Sunday morning, a 73-year-old hiker fell and struck her head on the Contour Path above Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. She was found to be stable and was assisted safely down the trail.
In the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, four young hikers aged 19 to 29 lost their way after taking an old, disused trail and were forced to spend a freezing night in the mountains. Early on Sunday, they managed to get cellphone reception and called for help.
CapeNature rangers were dispatched and successfully guided the exhausted but unharmed hikers back to safety.
Reflecting on the weekend's events, Nel said; 'We're truly grateful to all the rescue team members who respond so willingly. Their ongoing commitment and readiness to assist, often in tough conditions, makes a real difference and is deeply appreciated.'
'Our thoughts are with the two injured hikers, and we wish them both a smooth and full recovery,' he added.
Nel urged all hikers to call without hesitation.
'At times people delay calling because they're worried about the cost of being rescued, but there's no charge for wilderness rescue in the Western Cape.'
'It costs nothing to call, but waiting could cost everything, 021 937 0300,' he said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
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Weekend rescues in the Western Cape: Hikers saved from dangerous conditions
A WSAR helicopter team hoists an injured hiker from Lion's Head after she slipped and broke her leg on Saturday. Image: WSAR /Facebook A series of dramatic rescues unfolded across the Western Cape this past weekend as Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) teams raced to save hikers stranded by swollen rivers, injured on popular trails, and lost overnight in the mountains. 'Time is a critical factor in any emergency, and calling the correct number ensures a faster, more efficient response that can make a significant difference to the outcome,' said WSAR spokesperson David Nel. On Saturday morning, three hikers were left stranded in the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area above Porterville when heavy rain turned a river crossing into a dangerous obstacle. A WSAR helicopter team hoists an injured hiker from Lion's Head after she slipped and broke her leg on Saturday. Image: Facebook/WSAR Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The group, who had planned to finish their hike on Thursday, became trapped and eventually contacted family to explain the delay. When they still hadn't returned by Saturday, they were reported missing. Before a major ground search was launched, they confirmed they were safe. Later that day, a 52-year-old woman slipped while descending Lion's Head and badly injured her leg. Quick-thinking members of the Bellville Voetslaanklub, who had recently attended a WSAR safety presentation, immediately provided the correct emergency number to her daughter. A helicopter rescue team was swiftly dispatched, and the woman was airlifted to hospital after being stabilised on the mountain. On Sunday morning, a 73-year-old hiker fell and struck her head on the Contour Path above Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. She was found to be stable and was assisted safely down the trail. In the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, four young hikers aged 19 to 29 lost their way after taking an old, disused trail and were forced to spend a freezing night in the mountains. Early on Sunday, they managed to get cellphone reception and called for help. CapeNature rangers were dispatched and successfully guided the exhausted but unharmed hikers back to safety. Reflecting on the weekend's events, Nel said; 'We're truly grateful to all the rescue team members who respond so willingly. Their ongoing commitment and readiness to assist, often in tough conditions, makes a real difference and is deeply appreciated.' 'Our thoughts are with the two injured hikers, and we wish them both a smooth and full recovery,' he added. Nel urged all hikers to call without hesitation. 'At times people delay calling because they're worried about the cost of being rescued, but there's no charge for wilderness rescue in the Western Cape.' 'It costs nothing to call, but waiting could cost everything, 021 937 0300,' he said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
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