Groot Winterhoek near Porterville
On Tuesday the 26th of February 2019 Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) was requested to assist with the recovery of the body of a German paraglider who had met with an accident in the Groot Winterhoek Mountains outside Porterville.
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) was dispatched at 10h50 to commence the mission and on arrival in the area it was found that the cloud cover prevented the safe operation of the helicopter. The air crew were asked to shut down and wait for a clearing in the weather while a team of twelve from the Western Cape Forensic Pathology Services and rescuers hiked into the mountain to locate the fallen parraglider. The conditions were cold with the cloud cover decreasing the visibility as well. The paraglider was found in a gully on sloping ground which also hampered the recovery. Once they had completed their tasks, the body was packaged and recovered to the staging area.
The circumstances around the accident remain unclear. WSAR would like to convey our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
- The Air Mercy Service (AMS) is contracted to the Western Cape Department of Health to provide HEMS support.
WSAR urges the public to please:-
- exercise caution when partaking in extreme sports
- wear the correct personal protective equipment when doing adventure sport
- pay attention to the weather conditions
- consider the knowledge of the locals
Call 021 937 0300 or 112 for any wilderness and mountain rescue response.
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