{"id":268486,"date":"2025-10-28T16:18:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T14:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/?p=268486"},"modified":"2025-10-29T10:04:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T08:04:33","slug":"massive-search-underway-after-hiker-74-vanishes-on-storms-river-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/massive-search-underway-after-hiker-74-vanishes-on-storms-river-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"Massive search underway after hiker (74) vanishes on Storms River trail"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

STORMS RIVER<\/strong> – Police in the Eastern Cape have launched a search and rescue operation to find Hermie Van Zyl (74),<\/strong> who was reported missing on 22 October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, Van Zyl was last seen while he was on a hiking trail at Storms River on the evening of 21 October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said it is believed that Van Zyl went to relieve himself,<\/strong> and never rejoined the team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nkohli further said that a search group was established comprising SAPS Search and Rescue, SAPS Mounted Unit, and Rangers from SANParks and MTO Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We have mobilised a comprehensive search effort involving multiple specialised units,” said Nkohli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a missing person poster, Van Zyl is 1.68m in height and has blue eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was wearing denim shorts and a khaki short-sleeve button-down shirt during the hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Van Zyl also wore hearing aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nkohli said that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the missing hiker is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer, Detective Constable Jansen on 079 602 4058.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Police launch major search for missing 74-year-old hiker Hermie Van Zyl who vanished on Storms River trail on 21 October 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