Riviersonderend kloof Elgin/Grabouw

 

On Sunday the 18th of November 2018 at 14h12 the Winelands Wilderness Search And Rescue unit (WSAR) was activated by the Western Cape Provincial Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after a call for assistance was  received.

The location of the incident was deep in a gorge, where one of the many rivers which originate in the Nuuweberg quarters of the  Boland Mountains north of Elgin flows. This particular section is called the Riviersonderend (RSE) Canyon and is a popular kloofing destination among adventure seekers. This river is one of the main feeders leading into the Theewaterskloof Dam close by.

Due to the terrain, the remoteness of the area as well as the concern for the patient’s injuries, the WSAR Incident Commander deemed it necessary to apply for helicopter support. The Air Mercy Service (AMS) Medical Rescue Helicopter which is contracted to the Western Cape Department of Health was authorized to attend to this call. Meanwhile, ground crews consisting of Rescue Mountaineers, logistical and communication teams, 4×4 and medical support vehicles were dispatched to the Nuuweberg Forest Station which is a facility of Cape Nature who manages the conservation of this mountain range. Here the Staging Area for the Incident Command of this call was set up and a Landing Zone (LZ) prepared as well.

It was suspected that the patient had sustained her injuries after a “bad landing” while attempting the highest jump on the RSE Kloofing adventure. The jump known as “Big Mother” is about 7 meters high , at the lowest point. There are thrill seekers who are known to have launched themselves from stances higher above the river.

The arrow indicates the section where the “Big Jump” is located.

Once the patient was located, a Rescue Climber and an Advance Life Support Medical Rescue EMS Technician were winched down from the hovering helicopter to lend assistance. The pilot then withdrew from the scene to take the downdraft and noise of the helicopter out of the equation. This also gave the onboard and ground crew time to attend to the reconfiguration of the helicopter and other technicalities, away from the scene.

 

After the patient was packaged the helicopter was called in to hoist her out, as well as the remainder of her party and the rescuers in multiple lifts.

The patient was safely delivered to the LZ where she was transferred to an awaiting ambulance for transport to a medical facility for further examination and treatment.

WSAR would like to wish the patient a speedy recovery, as well as to thank all the members and services who had responded to this call.

We urge the public to please:-

  • only attempt kloofing trips with and experienced guide, who has a knowledge of the river as well as the escape routes
  • to consider practicing jumps into water from the safety of a diving board at a municipal swimming pool prior to a kloofing adventure
  • note that most mountains streams and rivers in the Western Cape contain “brownish” water which will impede one’s ability to gauge depth
  • carry an emergency blanket in the first aid kit

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