A 60-year-old hiker was rescued after falling about 40 m from the Second Waterfall hiking trail in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve on Thursday 18 June.

According to Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) the hiker was part of a group on the popular trail when he reportedly stepped awkwardly, slipped and fell down steep terrain.

His companions immediately moved to an area where they could obtain cellular signal and alerted rescuers via the emergency number.

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Team mobilised

A small rescue team, including a provincial EMS paramedic, was flown to the scene to assess and stabilise the injured man.

At the same time, additional WSAR rescuers, accompanied by a CapeNature party, hiked to the area carrying specialised technical rescue equipment and a stretcher. Technical rescue teams established a rope system to safely access the patient.

After treatment on scene, the hiker was secured on the stretcher, hauled up to the trail and carefully carried to a suitable location, from where a rescue helicopter could safely complete a hoist evacuation.

At a nearby landing zone, the man was transferred to a waiting ambulance that transported him to hospital for further treatment.

The complex rescue operation concluded shortly before 17:30, around six-and-a-half hours after the initial emergency call.

“We extend our gratitude to everyone who gave their time, energy and expertise to help bring an injured hiker to safety. Their willingness to leave work, family and personal commitments to assist others reflects the very best of the outdoor and rescue community,” the WSAR team said in a statement.

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