A Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) team put their skills to the test on Saturday afternoon after a visiting Dutch hiker fell and injured herself while nearing the top of the popular Platteklip Gorge hiking trail.
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Springing into action, the rescue team was ferried to the top of Table Mountain in a cable car and made their way across the table and down to find the Dutch hiker.
After being assessed and treated by a WC Department of Health & Wellness EMS paramedic, the injured 26-year-old was placed on a rescue stretcher.
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‘In a carefully synchronised operation, a technical rope system was used to help the team of stretcher-bearers by slowly hauling the stretchered patient up the steep trail, while they carefully carried her over the broken terrain and back to the upper cable station,’ reported WSAR.
Both the rescue team and injured hiker were assisted down Table Mountain via cable car, where a waiting ambulance transported her to hospital for further assistance.
‘Wilderness rescue is a team effort and we especially wish to thank the passing good samaritans for their assistance while carrying the injured hiker from the mountain,’ said WSAR spokesperson David Nel.
‘We’re blessed to have such beautiful wilderness spaces in the Western Cape and honoured to have such a compassionate outdoor community, who so quickly mobilise to assist others.’
The incident was concluded shortly before 5pm and Nel wished the visiting hiker a speedy recovery.
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Picture: Travis Talmarkes & Matthew Trollip / Facebook