Around 17:00 on 27 August 2020 the manager of the Helderberg Nature Reserve called Wilderness Search and Rescue requesting assistance after the wife of a 58 yr old male person had reported him overdue.

The man had set out to hike the Sugarbird Route in the reserve and had not returned by 16:00 as had been arranged with his wife. By then, rangers had already patrolled the route. WSAR activated a call-out and shortly after had more than 17 operatives in the field on foot and where possible in 4×4’s searching into the small hours of the night. The search was resumed Friday 28th August.

We are sad to report that the body of a man has been found. He was fatally injured when he fell somewhere off the path on Porcupine Buttress. His family have been given the sad news. We share their grief. The deceased is from the Helderberg area.

Shortly after 15:00 on Saturday 29 August, our air wing AMS helicopter contracted to the Dept of Health with a WSAR technical team successfully hoisted the body of the deceased patient from where he had fallen. The body was handed to the SAPS’s forensic department who now have to complete their investigation and report.

We thank our teams for bringing closure to the family using a brief lift in the rain and low cloud. For further detail, please liaise with the SAPS.

 

We extend our sincere condolences to the family in this difficult time.

 

 

Team planning at the Incident Command Post
(Photo Rob Nel)

WSAR urges the public and tourists to please:-

  • not hike or trail run on your own
  • carry a cellphone with the emergency number saved in the contact list
  • carry a map of the area of your activity
  • do not deviate from the route that you have planned

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.