14 hikers rescued on Tsitsikamma hiking trail due to heavy rains

Posted by Jordyn Johnson on 14 May 2023

14 hikers were rescued on the Tsitsikamma hiking trail after heavy rain cut them off from the trail.

The 9 females and 5 male hiking group crossed the Lottering River on Friday morning,12 May. Upon reaching the Elandsbos River, they found it flowing too heavily and were unable to cross. They returned to the Lottering River which by then was also flowing too strongly for them to get across.

One of the hiker’s parents alerted NSRI Knysna, and other rescue teams that were notified were the NSRI Oyster Bay, NSRI Storms River duty crews, Mountains to Seas (MTO) Forestry, Plettenberg Bay First Responders, and NSRI Plettenberg Bay.

Rescue teams were deployed on Friday night, using an MTO fire truck, but were unable to reach the hikers due to the flooded river and poor visibility.

Further rescue teams banded together on Saturday morning to initiate a joint operation.

In the meantime, the hikers had been in constant communication, via Whatsapp, with NSRI Plettenberg Bay crew member Laurent Eray, who advised them on the rescue operation and ensured the hikers remained where they were and stayed warm.

‘They are commended for their sterling efforts under these unexpected and trying circumstances,’ the NSRI said in a statement.

A rescue party was dispatched to the Keurbos hut with additional gear where they waited for the hikers.

A helicopter dropped off a rescue swimmer, an EMS rescue paramedic, and a first responder near the hikers. They assessed the hikers, three of which had mild smoke inhalation from the fire they had built the night before, ‘but all were in good spirits.’

The rescue team, using an existing rope that was inspected for safety and tightened, helped the group cross the chest-deep river. They were then taken to the Keurbos Hut where they were warmed up and taken 800 m to the helicopter.

‘In three relays they were airlifted aboard the helicopter to the Lotterning Forestry Station.’

An EMS ambulance was waiting to further assess the hikers before they were all driven in private vehicles to Natures Valley where they had begun the hike.

The NSRI commends all services involved ‘for their close corporation and team work during the rescue evacuation operation.’

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