Unprecedented Rescue Operation on Table Mountain Saves 75 Tourists

In what has been described as the largest rescue operation on Table Mountain in over six decades, 75 tourists were saved in a daring and meticulously coordinated effort by Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) and several other teams, including the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS and SANParks rangers.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, a mainstay of the Cape Town tourism experience, unexpectedly ceased operations around 1 pm yesterday due to a wildland fire close to the lower cable station. This unforeseen event led to dozens of tourists deciding to embark on the descent via the Platteklip Gorge hiking trail. However, the journey proved to be more arduous than anticipated for some.

In response, WSAR launched a rescue operation, calling on its multidisciplinary team's expertise. A high-tech drone from the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS Drone Unit took to the skies, offering real-time surveillance to identify individuals in distress and direct rescuers on the ground.

During the rescue effort, three groups of tourists were identified as needing urgent assistance. Among them was a 45-year-old visitor from the Netherlands who sustained a lower leg injury. In a breathtaking extraction, she was hoisted into the EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) helicopter and flown to safety.

Rescuers, in a painstaking process, escorted two other visitors with difficulties down the rugged terrain of the mountain. The operation culminated at 7:30 pm, with a thorough sweep of the trail to ensure no one was left behind.

David Nel, WSAR's spokesperson, highlighted the complexity of the response, citing the large number of highly trained professionals and volunteers that came together to respond swiftly to the emergency. He commended the various teams on standby, emphasizing the depth of skill and readiness within the organization.

The precision of this large-scale rescue operation underlines the commitment of WSAR and its partners to ensuring the safety of visitors and locals enjoying the natural beauty of the region. Their collaborative effort not only mitigated a potentially much graver situation but also exemplified the strength of unity in the face of adversity.