Skeleton Gorge Cape Town

On Saturday the 22nd of December 2018 at 12h26 the Peninsula Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) was activated by the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after a call for assistance was received.

It was reported that a 57 year female visitor from the USA had twisted her ankle while hiking near the summit of the Skeleton Gorge route above the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Two Advanced Life Support Medical Rescue Technicians in the Metro Rescue Mobile Incident Command vehicle and a team of SANParks Visitor Safety Patrollers in a 4×4 vehicle were instructed to drive up to the “Back Table” area of Table Mountain from Constantia Nek. Once the responders had reached the area between the two main water reservoirs on the Back Table, it was discovered that the casualty party had made their way to the CoCT Water Works building at the Woodhead reservoir.

Once the medics had done an examination of the patient, it was decided to drive her off the mountain in the SANParks vehicle. The patient was safely delivered to Constantia Nek were she was advised by our medics to please report to a medical facility should her condition worsen.

We wish the lady a speedy recovery, and also extend our thanks to our members who had responded to this call, as well as those who had been placed on standby in case any further assistance was required.

WSAR urges the public to please:-

  • concentrate and be careful when negotiating rocks, steps and tree roots along the mostly uneven paths in the mountains
  • be mindful that certain areas on the mountain are moist and covered by moss
  • have a fully charged battery power bank with you
  • always remain stationary after calling for help

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