India Venster Cape Town

On Monday the 21st of January 2019 at 16h48 the Peninsula Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) was activated by the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after a call for assistance was received.

A caller had reported that a 21 year old female from Cape Town had sustained an ankle injury which had prevented her from proceeding any further along the India Venster route below the Upper Cable Station. The Metro Rescue Mobile Incident Command vehicle with crew, Rescue Mountaineers, Logistical support teams and members of the SANParks Visitor Safety Patrol unit were dispatched to the Lower Cable Station.

Two Advanced Life Support Medical Rescue Technicians and a SANParks member formed a Rapid Response team who used the cable car to reach the Upper Cable Station. From  there they proceeded on foot to the location of the patient which was high up on the India Venster route. On arrival the medics reported the situation to the Incident Commader, after which treatment was administered to the patient and her injured ankle immobilised. The assistance of the Air Mercy Service (AMS) Helicopter Emergency Medical Services which is contracted to the Western Cape Department of Health was requested since a stretcher carry out over the terrain on that section of Table Mountain was not considered to be viable.

Once the helicopter was authorised, our members were requested to prepare for the temporary closure of a section of the Tafelberg road to create a safe Landing Zone (LZ) for the extraction process. A dedicated team of Rescue Mountaineers and Rescue Climbers were also assembled at the Lower Cable Station as an alternative, should the wind or the overhead cables prove to be a hazard for the safe operation of the helicopter.

The patient was moved to a location close by where the overhead cables did not pose a hazard , and after maintaining a hover above the extraction site, the helicopter crew safely extracted the patient who was delivered to the LZ. Here she was transferred into an awaiting ambulance for transportation to a medical facility.

We would like to wish the lady a speedy recovery. We also thank all the responding services for their reaction.

WSAR would also like to commend the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (TMAC) for their ongoing commitment to rescue support.

WSAR urges the public to please:-

  • concentrate when descending routes and make sure where your next step will be
  • be mindful of loose rocks, tree roots, and steps
  • proceed slowly and avoid being distracted by conversation or music

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