On Saturday the 13th of October 2018 at 12h43 WSAR was activated by the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services for a mountain rescue call on Lion’s Head in the northern section of the Table Mountain National Park.

Because of the nature of the call the Air Mercy Service rescue helicopter, which is contracted to the Western Cape Department of Health,  was dispatched. On arrival at Lion’s Head they proceeded to locate the patient. Once this was done, the helicopter hovered to allow a rescue medic and a rescue climber to be hoisted down to the mountain for an assessment of the patient.

The quick response to the patient, who had suffered a medical emergency, meant that the appropriate treatment could be administered in good time. Once the patient was stabilized and packaged into the stretcher, the helicopter was radioed to return for the hoisting of the patient.

Because of the patient’s condition, it was decided to do a helicopter transfer to a medical facility.

We urge the public to please:

  • choose your route according to what you can manage
  • make sure that you have any chronic medication of yours in the first aid kit
  • consider doing short early morning walks in the summertime
  • be prepared for the hot conditions expected this season

We wish the patient a speedy recovery.

On Saturday the 13th of October 2018 at 19h50, the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services were notified of a party that was overdue, after being separated from the rest of their group.

SANParks, who is a signatory to WSAR, dispatched their TMNP rangers. After about 40 minutes the party was located in Newlands Forest.

No further response was required and the party was escorted safely off the mountain.

On Saturday the 13th of October 2018 at 20h55, WSAR was activated by the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services regarding an overdue hiking party in the northern section of the Table Mountain National Park.

The Metro Rescue EMS Mobile Incident Command vehicle as well as a SANParks 4×4 responded to the base of Platteklip Gorge at Tafelberg road. Metro Rescue Medics together with SANParks rangers comprised a hasty team that set off up the gorge while more information concerning a lost party was being gathered.

At 21h44 WSAR was instructed to stand down on the call after it was reliably learnt that the party had just arrived at their accommodation.

We urge the public to please:

  • plan your hikes so that you are safely off the mountain before sunset
  • make sure that your phone is charged with adequate airtime as well
  • let family or friends know of your intended finish time
  • let family or friends know that you are safely off the mountain, as soon as you can, if  your phone battery has depleted while hiking
  • remain as one party and do not split up

We commend those who made the necessary calls for assistance.

Please call 021 937 0300 or 112 for any mountain or wilderness rescue emergencies.