A 55-year-old hiker was rescued from Newlands Forest on Friday morning after another walker found him in distress and alerted the team at Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR).
Recognising that calling WSAR was key to getting reliable, quick help, they immediately contacted the emergency response centre, and the WSAR dispatched rescue personnel, including SANParks Table Mountain National Park rangers, to the scene.
A Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic assessed and treated the hiker before he was placed on a stretcher.
Rescuers carried him to a nearby rescue vehicle and transported him down the trail to a waiting ambulance. He was then taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
The morning operation was completed shortly after 9am.
The rescue highlighted WSAR’s ongoing 'Safe, My Mate' safety awareness campaign. Drawing on the South African expression 'my mate' and the spirit of ubuntu, it encourages hikers, walkers and climbers to look out for one another.
“SAFE” also serves as an acronym for responding to emergencies:
- Stop
- Assess the situation
- Formulate a plan
- Execute the plan, which usually involves calling the emergency number below.
IOL