Woman rescued as car plunges off scenic R44 near Gordon’s Bay

An elderly woman was dramatically rescued on Saturday morning (2 August) along the scenic Clarence Drive (R44) just outside Gordon’s Bay, after her vehicle veered off the road and plunged down a mountainside, stopping just metres from the ocean.

The incident prompted a rapid response from local emergency services, culminating in a complex rescue operation.

Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service said, they received a call regarding a motor vehicle accident at 10:40.

“The crew from Strand Fire Station arrived on scene at 10:50 and found one adult female in the vehicle, which had gone down the mountain,” Carelse stated.

The crew used the stoke stretcher and a pulley system to haul the woman up to the roadside, after she was successfully extricated from the vehicle at 11:42.

Paramedics from GBMed were on hand to render assistance to the woman on the scene. She was transported via ambulance to a nearby medical facility for further assessment and treatment at 11:55.

It is believed that the driver is a 78-year-old woman, who apparently resides at Ametis Retirement Home in Strand.

According to bystanders on scene, the woman was visibly upset by the rescue and claimed that she had intentionally driven off the cliff.

When approached for comment regarding the driver’s apparent residency at Ametis Retirement Home, Estelle Lecoq, spokesperson for Ametis, issued a statement. “Thank you for your email and for reaching out regarding this unfortunate incident that occurred on Saturday,” Lecoq stated. “In terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act and the Older Persons Act, we are not at liberty to confirm or disclose any personal or medical information about our residents.

Lecoq concluded by emphasising their commitment to resident welfare: “The safety, privacy, and dignity of all individuals in our care remain our highest priority, and we are committed to protecting their rights as set out in the above legislation. Thank you for your understanding.”