Dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) responded to Platteklip Gorge to assist a fallen hiker on Tuesday afternoon.
Lost his balance
According to the Arrive Alive website, the 70-year-old British hiker and his wife were nearing the top of the popular hiking trail when he lost his balance and tumbled backwards down the steep rock steps.
Realising that the visiting hiker was injured and unable to continue, a passing Good Samaritan called the emergency number – (021) 937 0300.
On hearing of the incident, a Table Mountain Aerial Cableway staff member together with SANParks – Table Mountain National Park rangers swiftly made their way down to assist the injured hiker.
A small rescue team on board the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter were flown to the scene and hoisted down to a point close to the patient.
Hiker was hoisted into the helicopter
The injured hiker was treated by a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic, before being helped into a rescue harness and hoisted into the helicopter.
He was flown to a nearby landing zone, helped to a waiting ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. ambulance and driven to hospital.
His wife was accompanied by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway team member up the rest of the trail to the upper cable station and down the mountain in the cable car.
Wishing the hiker a speedy recovery!
