Latest news with #WSAR
IOL News
23-07-2025
- IOL News
WSAR responds to 5 hiker rescues across Western Cape in just 48 hours
WSAR teams carry an injured hiker across a remote river trail near the Berg River Dam during one of five mountain rescue operations across the Western Cape over the weekend. Image: Chris Jacobs / WSAR In a remarkable display of coordination and expertise, Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) teams responded to five separate emergencies in just two days, coming to the aid of injured and stranded hikers across the Western Cape. The weekend's incidents, ranging from remote river trails and forest slopes to popular mountain paths and rugged wilderness roads, underscored the critical role WSAR plays in ensuring the safety of outdoor adventurers. "These incidents serve as a powerful reminder of the vital role WSAR plays in ensuring the safety of those who venture into the province's mountains and wilderness areas," WSAR said. In the first incident, a 56-year-old hiker was rescued on Saturday morning after slipping on a remote trail near the Berg River Dam. Hiking with four others, she was unable to continue, and her group promptly called for help. "She was assessed and treated on scene, before being placed into a stretcher and carefully carried across the river," WSAR noted. The operation concluded safely at 2.36pm. Simultaneously, in Cecilia Forest, a 32-year-old hiker became too exhausted to descend further. Rescuers, including SANParks rangers and EMS paramedics, responded swiftly. "The hiker was assessed and treated on scene before being carefully placed into a rescue stretcher," WSAR stated. She was carried to Kirstenbosch Gardens and transported from there. This operation concluded at 2.35pm. Later that evening, two hikers, aged 34 and 49, lost their way in the Helderberg Nature Reserve. With darkness approaching and the reserve gates set to close, they called for help. Rangers located the women and safely guided them down. "The hikers, who were uninjured, were found in good spirits and safely guided back down to the entrance," WSAR reported. The incident ended at 7.28 pm. On Sunday afternoon, WSAR was again called into action when a 60-year-old American tourist injured himself descending Platteklip Gorge. "He was assessed and treated on scene by a paramedic," WSAR said. "With support, he was able to slowly continue descending on foot with assistance from rescuers." Late Sunday, WSAR deployed teams to the Cederberg after reports that two vehicles had veered off-road near the Algeria Camp Site. While personnel were ready to assist, the operation stood down at 7.18 pm after local teams confirmed they had the situation under control. 'We acknowledge and thank all who contribute their time, skills, and commitment to keeping others safe in often difficult and dangerous conditions,' WSAR said. 'We extend our best wishes to those who were injured and hope for their full and speedy recovery.' IOL News
IOL News
15-07-2025
- 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
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
Russian teen hiker rescued after night alone in Cape storm
The 18-year-old Russian tourist is assisted by Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) teams after being rescued from Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, where he survived a night alone in stormy conditions. An 18-year-old Russian tourist has been rescued after spending a cold and stormy night alone in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch. The teenager, who set out on a solo hike along the challenging Panorama Circuit Trail on Thursday morning, was caught off guard by heavy rain and rapidly changing mountain conditions. According to Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR), the visitor began his hike at 10am after researching routes online. Although he was equipped for good weather, he did not anticipate how dramatically the rainfall would transform the trail. By late afternoon, paths had turned into streams and certain sections became impassable due to torrents of water flowing down the mountain slopes. The hiker attempted to turn back but became trapped. At around 4pm, he managed to send a message to a friend, saying he was tired and in trouble. His phone battery died shortly afterward, leaving him alone and unable to call for help.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
Tourist treated for hypothermia after surviving night in Cape storm
The teen hiker was helped to an ambulance before being transported to hospital for further treatment. Image: Tim Lundy An 18-year-old Russian tourist was rescued after spending a cold and wet night alone in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch, following an emergency during a solo hike on the challenging Panorama Circuit Trail. The teenager, who had researched Cape Town hiking routes online, began his hike at 10am on Thursday, Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) said. 'While he was equipped for the trail under normal conditions, he did not anticipate the intensity of the rainfall or how significantly it would transform the landscape.' An 18-year-old Russian tourist was rescued on Friday afternoon after spending a night alone in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch. Image: Jaco Janse van Vuuren 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading By late afternoon, worsening weather had turned paths into shallow streams and rendered some sections of the trail impassable. His route was ultimately 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. WSAR Western Cape, along with members from CapeNature, mobilized more than 20 volunteers and professionals when the alarm was raised on Friday morning. Using GPS data from his last known phone location, a search team was dispatched into the reserve. After 2:30pm on Friday, the hiker was found near the entrance of the reserve. 'After spending the night outdoors, he began retracing his steps at first light and slowly made his way back toward safety,' WSAR said. He was assessed on site by a paramedic, treated for hypothermia, and then transported to hospital for further medical care. The hiker was found near the entrance of the reserve on Friday. He was assessed by a paramedic and treated for hypothermia. Image: Nic Shaw WSAR spokesperson David Nel said this incident highlighted how quickly things can go wrong in the mountains. 'The mountains are beautiful, but they demand respect and preparation. 'We strongly encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to take weather warnings seriously and prioritize safety at all times. Always review the weather forecast before heading out. If conditions look risky, delay your hike.
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.
