Back-to-back rescues from mountain slopes to sandy shores

• Dutch visitor rescued from Little Lion’s Head near Hout Bay
• Fallen bather flown from Sandy Bay
• “Know your limits, call for help early, and look out for one another,” urges WSAR.

Two very different emergencies kept Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) teams and the Western Cape Government Health and Wellnesss EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter busy on Saturday afternoon.

The first call came from Little Lion’s Head, where a 23-year-old Dutch visitor was hiking with her family when she suddenly felt a painful “pop” behind her knee.

Unable to put weight on her injured leg or continue hiking, she made the sensible decision to stop and call the emergency number, 021 937 0300, for assistance.

The rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene, where a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic assessed and treated the young woman before she was safely airlifted to a nearby landing zone.

Her family made their way down the trail to meet her before taking her to hospital for further treatment.

There was little time to catch a breath before the next call came in.

This time, a man believed to be in his 40s had reportedly tripped and struck his head on a rock at Sandy Bay Beach.

The helicopter was quickly redeployed, and the patient was safely evacuated to a nearby landing zone, where he was handed over to an ambulance crew for transport to hospital.

Two patients, two very different emergencies, and another wonderful example of teamwork.

A big thank you to all the responding teams, including SANParks - Table Mountain National Park rangers, for their quick response, professionalism and commitment to helping others.

We wish both patients a speedy recovery.

Recognising your limits, calling for help early, and looking out for one another are all part of staying safe in the outdoors.

Before your next adventure, save the correct wilderness emergency number: 021 937 0300.

And share it with your friends and family. You never know who might need it.

• Save and share the correct Emergency Contact Number - 021 937 0300

• Please support us - https://wsar.org.za/support-us/

• Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) is a network of government agencies, and civilian volunteer organisations, who partner in search and rescue.

Photos by Fredy Mohorich

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