Paramedics brave the night for mountain rescue on Table Mountain

Posted by Tsoku Maela on 2 February 2023

‘A world-class rescue effort took place in the Western Cape early morning on 31 January, when a pair of expert paramedics from the Western Cape Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) saved two hikers who became lost and injured on Table Mountain,’ said WSAR team leader Andrew Lewis. ‘These paramedics are heroes, and we are blessed to have them serving the people of the Western Cape.’

Paramedics brave the night for mountain rescue on Table Mountain

Picture: WSAR / Facebook

The rescue began after two friends, in their 20s, became lost while hiking up Platteklip Gorge. After receiving inaccurate route information, they were hiking in the dark without torches and one of them fell 7m into a rocky river ravine. The uninjured hiker called WSAR for help and a team was dispatched, guided by a drone from the Western Cape Government – Health EMS Drone Unit.

Once on scene, the stranded hiker was safetied and an EMS paramedic was lowered down to the injured hiker with the assistance of a rescue climber. After assessing the patient’s injuries, a second EMS paramedic was lowered down to provide additional aid. ‘These were world-class paramedics in action,’ said Lewis.

 READ: Hiking safety tips from Mountain Search and Rescue

Despite challenging conditions, the fallen hiker was packaged into a stretcher and hoisted off the mountain with the help of the Western Cape Department of Health EMS/Air Mercy Service rescue helicopter. Both patients were then flown to a landing zone in Camps Bay and taken to the hospital by ambulance.

WSAR’s David Nel added, ‘We appeal to all mountain users to consult official hiking maps when planning their routes and always stick to the paths. Please save our WSAR emergency contact number 021 937 0300.’

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