A quick phone call from a 61-year-old hiker who had injured her ankle at Helderberg Nature Reserve led to a successful rescue by Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) on Sunday 6 September.

The pensioner was descending the West Peak trail with her family when an awkward step injured her ankle, leaving her unable to continue.

She immediately called the WSAR emergency number, preventing the situation from becoming more difficult. While waiting for rescuers her family kept her warm by wrapping her in additional clothing.

WSAR teams, including rangers from the reserve as well as emergency personnel from the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, responded. On arrival the department’s personnel assessed and treated the hiker before rescue teams assisted her into a stretcher and carried her from the trail to an ambulance, which took her to hospital.

The service wished the hiker a speedy recovery and extended their gratitude to the dedicated volunteers and agencies who responded to the incident.

They added that the incident is a reminder that even a simple misstep can quickly bring a hike to an unexpected end.

This comes in the backdrop of search-and-rescue operations following the disappearance of Rika Norris in May and Itumeleng Mekoa in July at the nature reserve.

Also read: Sombre discovery ends week-long search for hiker at nature reserve

Mekoa’s body was found six days later, on Friday 10 July, while a body believed to be that of Norris was found last month.

WSAR has advised that carrying a fully-charged cellphone, hiking with others and knowing the correct emergency number can make all the difference when things don’t go according to plan while hiking.

 The WSAR emergency number is 021 937 0300. For more information on the organisation visit https://wsar.org.za/

Also read: Liggaam glo dié van vermiste Rika Norris in Helderberg gevind