An elderly Dutch tourist’s hiking experience along Table Mountain, in Cape Town, turned into a nightmare after she injured her leg and had to spend the night out in the wilderness.
The 62-year-old woman was hiking with three others between the Upper Cable Station and Camps Bay on 26 August when the incident occurred.
According to Arrive Alive, a local guide found the group of tourists stranded the next morning and raised the alarm.
Tourist stranded while hiking, rescued by WSAR
Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), Western Cape, was alerted. The injured woman was airlifted to safety.
A video on social media shows a dramatic rescue of the elderly woman as she was airlifted by a WSAR helicopter.
“Wilderness Search and Rescue teams helped the injured hiker to a safe extraction point near the top of the Kasteelspoort trail, where she was safely hoisted into the rescue helicopter,” said a WSAR statement.
Earlier this week, the South African reported on another hiking incident that when awry. An elderly couple, aged 75 and 68, lost their way while hiking at the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve in the Western Cape.
They were in the vicinity of the Rooiels waterfall when they called for help, despite poor cellphone reception in the reserve.
With this in mind, here are some safety measures you should know of prior to hiking:
- Never hike alone. It’s advisable to hike with a group of four or more people.
- Hiking in groups is helpful. If someone is injured and unable to walk, others in the group can offer assistance.
- Be knowledgeable of the hiking trail and route you plan on travelling along.
- Do not veer off the hiking trail you choose. You may get lost or injure yourself.
- Carry a map and be aware of the route description prior to embarking on your hike.
- A group of hikers must keep together and not split.
- If you are lost or forced to stop due to inclement weather conditions, stay together and stay in one place.
- Always have a supply of water whilst hiking.
What are your thoughts about the hiking incidents reported in the Western Cape?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
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