All-night Rescue of International Tourists
• Overnight operation to rescue two foreign hikers stranded near the Boss 400 wreck
• Strong winds force rescuers to abandon helicopter extraction
• Patient lowered 60m down granite slabs before NSRI teams floated both hikers to waiting boats
A planned coastal hike from Llandudno to Hout Bay became an overnight rescue operation after a 38-year-old German visitor began struggling to walk shortly after passing the Boss 400 wreck.
The visitor and his partner had been following an online navigation app that did not reflect the current condition of the trail, including sections that are overgrown, difficult to navigate and hazardous. They therefore had little indication of the challenges they would encounter along this stretch of coastline.
After injuring his ankle, the exhausted pair turned back towards Llandudno. As they made their way back, they reached a particularly challenging section of the trail and made the right decision to call the emergency number (021 937 0300) for assistance late on Sunday afternoon.
WSAR teams, including Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedics and SANParks - Table Mountain National Park SEAM team and rangers, were immediately deployed to assist. With difficult and treacherous terrain, strong winds and fading light, the decision was made to remain on scene with the hikers overnight rather than attempt a descent in deteriorating conditions.
Getting the necessary equipment to the team was another challenge. Our specialist WSAR trail runners stepped up, carrying tents, sleeping bags and other essential gear up the trail, a delivery effort that would have made Checkers Sixty60 proud.
Shortly after 08h00 on Monday morning, an attempt was made to extract the hikers by Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter. Strong winds, however, made the operation unsafe and the helicopter extraction had to be aborted.
The rescue plan was immediately adapted, with additional WSAR team members deployed to assist with a technical descent.
The injured hiker was carefully lowered approximately 60 metres down the granite slabs to the coastline, where NSRI teams were waiting with rescue boats.
The NSRI crew then floated the two hikers, one at a time, in a small inflatable canoe out to the waiting boats, before bringing them safely ashore in Hout Bay.
The incident was concluded shortly after 12h00 on Monday, with all teams safely off the trail.
WSAR spokesperson David Nel said:
“This rescue was a great example of what collaboration looks like. It was an overnight operation in difficult terrain and conditions, and when the strong winds prevented the planned helicopter extraction, our teams adapted and found another way to safely get the hikers off the mountain.
“From the teams who remained with the hikers overnight, to the trail runners who carried essential equipment to the scene, the additional rescuers who assisted with the technical lowering, and our colleagues from NSRI who completed the final water extraction, every person played an important part.
“Inter-agency collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Rescue operations rarely go exactly to plan, and having skilled teams and partner agencies who can adapt when conditions change makes all the difference.”
Nel also highlighted the challenging condition of the trail in the area.
“The trail along this stretch of coastline is in particularly treacherous condition, with areas that are overgrown and virtually impassable, making it extremely challenging for both hikers and rescuers. There have also been several reported incidents of crime in the area, and we strongly advise hikers to avoid this route.”
We would like to thank all the WSAR teams who committed to this overnight operation, as well as our colleagues at NSRI for their assistance in bringing the rescue to a safe conclusion.
We wish our German visitors a swift recovery and hope they are able to enjoy the rest of their stay in Cape Town.
Be Safe, My Mate.
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• Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue.
Photos by Duncan Fraser, Manfred Engelbrecht, Matthew Collier-Reed, Armand du Plessis and Blake Dyason
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