Table Mountain Cape Town

On Saturday the 05th of January 2019 at 17h46 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 30 year old male from Cape Town who is a known diabetic was more that 90 minutes overdue at the finish of a leisurely hike. The gentleman had apparently split up from the party during the second half of their walk. The other two party members had reached the finish of their route at a point in the urban area above Camps Bay, when the third hiker was nowhere to be seen. After waiting for more that 90 minutes one of these two members proceeded to the Lower Cable Station hoping that the third member of the party had made his way off the mountain at that exit point.

When the overdue hiker could not be found at the Lower Cable Station the call for assistance was made and our rescue members were placed on standby for a possible search. A team of SANParks Visitor Safety Patrollers were dispatched to meet the hiking party member who had been waiting at the section above Camps Bay to gather more information. Shortly after their arrival the overdue hiker showed up tired but in good health.

No further assistance was required and all the services were asked to stand down.

WSAR would like to commend the party for raising the alarm regarding their overdue party member. WSAR also reminds hikers that a “false alarm” is better than no alarm.

WSAR urges the public to please:-

  • remain as one party along your entire route
  • carry a charged cellphone including a power bank, sufficient airtime and data
  • make sure that all the members in your party are well briefed regarding the route and plans for the particular hike that is intended

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