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IOL News
5 days ago
- Climate
- IOL News
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
TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- Climate
- TimesLIVE
Russian tourist rescued after overnight ordeal in storm
An 18-year-old Russian tourist who hiked into a storm managed to send a message telling a friend he was tired and in trouble before his cellphone battery died and he was forced to spend a cold, wet night alone in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch. The hiker set off at 10am on Thursday, equipped for the Panorama Circuit Trail under normal conditions. However, he did not 'anticipate the intensity of the rainfall or how significantly it would transform the landscape', according to Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR). By late afternoon his route was blocked by a torrent of water surging down the mountain. 'Unable to proceed, he attempted to retrace his steps. At about 4pm he managed to send a message to a friend, saying he was tired and in trouble. His phone battery died before he could share more details. 'With no shelter and temperatures dropping overnight, the resourceful hiker sought refuge among rocks, using the natural cover to protect himself from the harsh conditions,' said WSAR. WSAR and CapeNature dispatched a search team into the reserve on Friday morning, using the hiker's last known position based on phone data. He was found just before 3pm on Friday, assessed by a paramedic, treated for hypothermia and transported to hospital. David Nel, a spokesperson for WSAR, said the incident highlighted how quickly things can go awry in the mountains. 'The mountains are beautiful, but they demand respect and preparation. We encourage outdoor enthusiasts to take weather warnings seriously and prioritise safety. Always review the weather forecast before heading out. If conditions look risky, delay your hike.
The South African
07-07-2025
- The South African
Russian teenager rescued after surviving night stranded in Jonkershoek
An 18-year-old Russian tourist was rescued after spending a night stranded in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch. The teenager had set out alone on the Panorama Circuit Trail early last Thursday morning, unaware of the heavy rain forecast that would soon turn the popular route into a hazardous terrain. According to reports, the hiker encountered rising waters late in the day, which blocked his path and forced him to turn back. Before his phone battery died, he managed to send a distress message to a friend around 16:00, saying he was in trouble. With no further contact possible, the tourist was left to endure a freezing night outdoors, sheltering between rocks with no provisions. When authorities were alerted the next morning, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) launched a large-scale operation involving over 20 professionals and volunteers, along with CapeNature rangers. Using the last known GPS signal from the hiker's phone, teams fanned out across the reserve. At 14:44 the hiker was spotted walking near the reserve entrance, having set off at first light in search of help. Paramedics treated him on scene for mild hypothermia before he was transported to hospital. Speaking after the operation, WSAR spokesperson David Nel urged hikers to respect the unpredictability of the region's mountain weather. 'This incident highlights how quickly things can go wrong in the mountains,' said Nel. 'They are beautiful, but they demand respect and preparation.' He also praised the emergency crews for their dedication and swift response, and wished the young tourist a full recovery. Authorities continue to stress the importance of proper planning when hiking in South Africa's mountainous regions. Hikers are urged to: Check weather forecasts before setting out before setting out Avoid hiking alone Carry sufficient emergency supplies Keep phones fully charged Save the WSAR emergency number: (021) 937 0300 The successful outcome of this rescue operation underscores both the dangers of unprepared solo hiking and the effectiveness of coordinated emergency response services in the Western Cape. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Quick thinking hikers get help to injured German visitor on Lion's Head
Rescuers have thanked a group of compassionate hikers who assisted an injured German visitor who fell 10m down a stepped path on the Lion's Head trail in Cape Town. The 68-year-old man was descending the trail when he slipped on a tree root and fell on Sunday evening. The accident was witnessed by local hikers who phoned for help upon realising the man could not walk. Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) said the group administered first aid and stayed with the man until help arrived. Rescue teams from WSAR, Western Cape government health and wellness EMS paramedics, SANParks, and Table Mountain National Park Seam team members responded. 'After receiving initial treatment from a paramedic, the injured hiker attempted to continue on foot with assistance,' said WSAR. However, when fatigue set in, he was carried down on a rescue stretcher and transported by ambulance to hospital. 'Even experienced hikers can find themselves in trouble. Slippery trails, uneven terrain and fatigue are common causes of accidents on our trails. That's why we continue to urge all outdoor enthusiasts to be well-prepared and never underestimate the mountain,' said WSAR spokesperson David Nel. 'The hikers' quick action, calm thinking and compassion made a difference in a moment of need, offering help to a stranger far from home. We're grateful for the public support and proud of our teams and partners who respond, often late into the night, to bring people home safely.'
The South African
01-07-2025
- Health
- The South African
Tourist rescued after late night fall on Lion's Head
A group of hikers came to the rescue of a 68-year-old German visitor who was injured after a fall on the popular Lion's Head trail. The man had been descending the trail near the pine trees when he slipped on a tree root and fell around 10 metres down the stepped path. The accident was witnessed by a group of local hikers, who didn't hesitate to step in and help. Realising the visitor was in pain and unable to walk, the group quickly called the emergency number – (021) 937 0300 – and began administering first aid using supplies from their personal kit. While keeping him calm and as comfortable as possible, they stayed by his side until professional help arrived. Rescue teams from Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape, including Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedics and SANParks – Table Mountain National Park SEAM team members responded swiftly. After receiving initial treatment from a paramedic, the injured hiker bravely attempted to continue on foot with assistance. Initially, technical rescuers carefully lowered him through the steeper parts of the trail using ropes and a safety harness. However, as fatigue set in, he was later placed into a rescue stretcher and carried the rest of the way down by WSAR teams. The hiker was transported to hospital by ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. ambulance, and the rescue was safely concluded at 21:30. According to David Nel, a spokesperson for Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR): 'This incident highlights not only the importance of mountain safety, but also the extraordinary kindness and presence of mind shown by everyday people. 'Even experienced hikers can find themselves in trouble. Slippery trails, uneven terrain, and fatigue are common causes of accidents on our trails. That's why we continue to urge all outdoor enthusiasts to be well-prepared and never underestimate the mountain. 'The hikers' quick action, calm thinking, and compassion made a real difference in a moment of need, offering help to a complete stranger so far from home. 'We're grateful for the public's support and proud of our teams and partners who respond tirelessly, often late into the night, to bring people home safely. 'We thank them, and all involved, for embodying the true spirit of community and care, and wish the injured visitor a full and speedy recovery,' said Nel. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
