At on Sunday the 9th of August 2020 Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) was activated after a caller reported that a party of 8 persons who were hiking in the Limietberg section of the Boland Mountains above Wellington could not return to their base camp on Bainskloof pass due to the swollen Witte river.  The weather conditions at the time were very cold with cloud cover and rain that posed further complications.

Responding rescuers determined that while a swift water recovery was possible, a helicopter extraction was the safest and quickest option. At 15H20 the SAAF 22 squadron at Air Force Base Ysterplaat (AFBY) was tasked to take the WSAR mountain rescue team to execute the extraction by air.
Meanwhile, a WSAR swift-water rescue team had prepared to effect a land based rescue if a helicopter extraction was not possible.  This team was in place and had secured the near bank area. These included safety lines, anchor points and other specialised equipment such as inflatable rescue craft, life jackets, 4×4 vehicles and an ambulance.

The party of 8 was kept informed and reassured at all times whilst they were being moved to higher ground above the fast flowing river.  A SAAF Oryx helicopter took off from AFBY at 17H12, arriving on scene at the top of Bainskloof pass near Eerste Tol at 17H30.  The helicopter inserted a rescue medic and a rescue climber immediately and then stood off, circling the area under a low cloud base while the party were briefed and prepared for the extraction. The extraction could take place with less concern of rotor blades  impacting the surrounding rocky terrain. The helicopter was then called in and shortly after extracted all 8 persons safely into the helicopter.
The 8 rescued persons disembarked at the landing zone which was prepared by WSAR volunteers into the care of medical personnel.

They required no further assistance and returned to the lodge. At that point the cloud closed in again.
Additional responding back-up teams which were still on route to provide support in the event of a swift water rescue operation were stood down and turned back.
The last rescuers left the mountain by 18H23 after a debrief was held where the WSAR teams were thanked and stood down.
Rain continued to fall for the rest of the evening.

Photo: Brinley Simons

WSAR urges the public and tourists to please:-

  • be aware that the winter months are the rain season in Cape Town
  • pay attention to weather conditions and weather warnings
  • plan routes that do not require members of your party to cross rivers that are in flood
  • remember that fast flowing white water has many places where a person could become trapped underwater by rocks, branches and other debris

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

WSAR is a volunteer based organisation.

Our role is to support the Emergency Medical Services of the Western Cape Department of Health. 
We depend on the good will of the public and business for our funding, in order to maintain a 24/7/365 emergency standby.

We do operate in conjunction with state and other professional services, however, the vast majority of our rescue responders are volunteers who receive no remuneration at all.  Our donations is strictly managed by the WSAR Trust.

Please click here if you would like to donate to the WSAR Trust. Thank you.

 

In association with the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services.

 

WSAR is a member of the International Commission of Alpine Rescue.