WSAR's heroic night rescue of stranded tourists on Table Mountain

Three tourists from Bangladesh were rescued on Monday evening after becoming stranded in cold and misty conditions while hiking on Table Mountain.

The group set off from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden around 3pm, intending to hike up Skeleton Gorge and take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway back down. As the weather worsened and darkness approached, they found themselves in a perilous situation, prompting them to seek help.

However, by 7.15pm, the hikers had reached the Aqueduct Trail and were unable to continue due to “fading light, windy, misty conditions and a lack of warm clothing.”

Recognising the danger, the group made the correct call to seek help.

“Recognising that conditions had turned serious and they could no longer continue safely, the group did the right thing and called the emergency number 021 937 0300,” WSAR said.

Search teams were immediately activated, meeting at Constantia Nek before making their way up to the Hely-Hutchinson Reservoir. From there, rescuers hiked up the Aqueduct Trail and located the cold but grateful hikers shortly after 9.30pm.

“The trio was assessed, given warm clothing, food and water, and then guided down to a waiting SANParks, Table Mountain National Park vehicle,” WSAR added.

The hikers were safely off the mountain by 11pm.

WSAR praised the tourists for acting responsibly by calling for help before their situation worsened and reminded all hikers to prepare properly for mountain conditions.

“We want to remind everyone to always carry extra warm clothing, sufficient food and water, and a fully charged phone when heading into the mountains, even for short hikes,” the organisation said.

Members of the public are encouraged to save the official emergency number, 021 937 0300 and to support WSAR’s life-saving work.

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Cape Argus