A search operation for an 81-year-old man who went missing while hiking in the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West ended tragically when search-and-rescue teams found his lifeless body.
According to Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) spokesperson Johann Marais multiple teams, including the Western Cape Government – Health Emergency Medical Services Drone Unit, were activated late last Saturday evening (18 March) to assist in searching for the missing man.
“The hiker had started his walk at 13:00 and was reported missing by his partner when he failed to return home,” he said. “According to the information we received he hiked on a daily basis and knew the reserve very well, and was a fit, healthy man.
“An extensive search was mounted at about 18:00 and focused on a lower portion of the reserve and continued late into Saturday night. It was only at about 01:00, at a higher than expected elevation, that the search-and-rescue teams located the hiker, who was unfortunately found deceased.”
Marais added it appeared as if the hiker had sat down and fallen over, and possibly died of natural causes. “The cause of death is yet to be determined, but there were no signs of an accident,” he said. “Police were then contacted and the Missing Persons Unit was deployed from Cape Town. Search-and-rescue teams assisted police in carrying the remains of the deceased from the trail.”
Sergeant Suzan Jantjies, spokesperson for the Somerset West police, confirmed police were called out to the Helderberg Nature Reserve after the body of an 81-year-old man was found. “The circumstances surrounding his death is still unknown,” she said. “The deceased, Alfons Kiefer, resided in Somerset West. An inquest docket is under investigation.”
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reached out to the deceased’s partner, who declined the opportunity to comment.
