WILDERNESS SEARCH &
RESCUE
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A small selection of operations undertaken by WSAR teams:
Swellendam Search: 24 December 2003"Tourist Missing in Cape Mountains Police and others were searching the rugged Langeberg mountains near Swellendam in the southern Cape for a Singaporean tourist who failed to return from a day walking trip in a local nature reserve, SABC radio news reported. Boland police say Wen Loong Edmund Wu, left Backpackers Inn in Swellendam on Monday morning for a day walk in the Marloth nature reserve. He did not return. A mountain rescue team as a well as a rescue dog from Cape Town have been dispatched to assist in the search." Sapa Edmund
Wu was lodging at the Swellendam Backpackers Inn when he decided to go for a
walk up the 12 o'clock peak in MARLOTH Nature Reserve. He was scheduled to take
the bus to Cape Town on the same day at 14H00. He did not return in time to take
the bus and the back packers owners were concerned as his items were still in
the lodge that afternoon. They called in the police to investigate. Information
to be sourced by the WSAR manager on duty that day. (RvS) WSAR SERVICES INVOLVED IN THE CALL OUT: SAPS CLOTHES WORN BY SUBJECT:
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Black felt skoene Individual is quite fit and seems to have a good sens of
direction and time. Has been backpacking for more than six months already. DAY ONE: 09H00
Left base. Permit to do the hike was issued by the backpackers owners. After reaching the peak he stopped for a short break and to
drink. He was not sure of the exact time. The rest of the party had turned
around three quarters of the way as they were concerned about being late. Edmund started to descend to base via the south face but
was not sure of the right track to take. Started to head in an easterly
direction. After approximately one hour he traced back on his footsteps but it
was starting to get dark. Once reaching the beacon on the summit he chose to go
straight down and not on the path. He found himself going in a westerly
direction. He then decided to head back to the summit at which point he slipped
and fell. He tried to hold onto plants but could not stop his fall. He then free
fell for about eight meters. He landed on his back and bag. The water bottle
broke and he lost the rest of his water. He passed out and thinks that he came
to at around 19H00 He decided to stop there for the night. He did not look for
shelter but stayed where he fell. DAY TWO At approximately 06H00 he heard noises and decided to stand
up. He felt lots of pain in his legs and back. He decided to stay put until the
day warmed up. At approximately 09H00 he started to move. He could not go back
up the mountain from where he was because of the steep slope. His only option
was to continue downwards. It took Wu approximately five hours to go from his point of
fall to the second plateau. He then descended to the next lower plateau. At
approximately 14H00 after resting he then continued towards the bottom of the
valley. At this stage the beacon was on his west side. Wu saw Skymed 2 on his left side as it was coming up the
mountain. It then flew over him. Skymed 2 did not see him as he was possibly in
the recently burnt zone of the mountain. Wu did wave to the helicopter but
without results. Time of event was approximately 17H00 Wu also heard shouts and shouted back but there was no
response. Due to the nature of his injuries he could not shout very loudly. Wu
indicated that he heard what seemed like a microlight flying around as well, but
could not see it. Wu found the beginning of a stream and was able to drink
copious amounts of water for the first time. During the day he was drinking
water from moss and plants. He decided to stay there for the night and fell
asleep without any cover. DAY THREE The following day he woke at approximately 05H15 and
started to walk down the ravine to in the direction of Marloth base. At
approximately 09H15 he met Gary at the first contour path. Edmund was assessed by the local EMS services and found to
have several contusions but no serious injuries. Search called off at approximately 09H45 (Debrief notes on file - RvS) Post mission interview and report: Fabrice Stock
Missing hikers incident on TM, 25 Sept 2004Dion gave a power point presentation, summary of which follows. Dion Tromp
BASE jumping incident in Morraine Kloof, Hex River, 10 Oct 2004The accident took place at about 09h30. Lisa deployed her canopy early and suffered multiple cliff strikes on the way down, severely fracturing her ankle and hitting her head. She landed in the campsite under a partially inflated canopy after a 500 foot fall. Dion Tromp Cedarberg Rescue: 8 December 2004Hugo Vaughan received a cell phone call from a person ('John') in the Cedarberg to say that his friend had a "broken patella" near the top of Sneeuberg. Hugo asked for a small team to head out with Skymed 2 and then handed it over to me. When I phoned John back, it turned out that the victim was on Sneeukop, not Sneeuberg, and that he had a dislocated knee. Although they had tried to walk down, he was in too much pain to move any further. He was medically stable. Luckily, John had a GPS and could SMS coordinates to me confirming their position near the top of Sneeukop which lies just North of Tafelberg. Unfortunately John's phone died, and I could not get any further details about LZ's, other party members, etc. Stephan Moser and I flew out with Skymed, piloted by Iefaan Blake with Miguel as winchman. A SNAFU was that Miguel pointed out that he is not strether certified for Skymed, but can winch people in a harness. There was no stretcher certified winchman available in CT, so we reluctantly left the stretcher behind. Finding and picking the victim up was very easy with the GPS coords and the fact that they had found a very good LZ. We reduced our weight (Stephan and his lunch got out), landed, the victim hopped in and we flew back. He had dislocated his knee and could not walk, but was otherwise fine. He was only in pain if he tried to walk. There were 2 other members in his party and they were happy to walk down to their vehicle at Sneeukop hut where SANParks people were waiting for them. We left at 15h30 and returned at about 18h00. Rik De Dekker
Atlantis Search for Rachel: 16 December 2004At about 15:00, Rachel Laberdine left the New Apostolic Church in Chandos Street, Atlantis with her daughter, Margaret Bailey. Having just attended a 'Day of Reconciliation' service, they were given some cakes to take home with them. Placing the cakes into her black handbag, Rachel and Margaret proceeded to walk down Chandos Street and then West into Bonadventura. Their original intention was to take a taxi with Rachel's grandson to their home in Sun Road, but for some reason this never happened. After walking about 500m, they reached a bend in the road where they took a path through an open grassy area. After a further 150m, Rachel, who was 84 years old, tired somewhat, and they stopped under a bunch of large trees near a large concrete pipe where they proceeded to feast on their cakes.After a time, Rachel, who 'sometimes talks about things not existing', insisted on proceeding along the path and crossing over Dassenberg Road, the main arterial route separating the town of Atlantis with the bush and grass covered dune land to the West, a land crisscrossed by myriads of tracks, and a place where the police insist 'you don't go into at night and come out alive'. Margaret decided not to follow Rachel and turned back towards the built up area of Avondale suburb. Continuing along the path and over Dassenberg Road, Rachel continued a further 175m down a sand track to the local tip site, a place of continual fascination for the local community. Seen by three workers, Rachel walked through the tip site wearing a green hat adorned with flowers, and her long green skirt with a purple blouse. And so, at 16:15 on Thursday the 16th of December, Rachel disappeared, and the tip site became the 'Point Last Seen', the focus of the search effort for the following three days. During the Friday and Saturday, the area was searched by the SAPS and by the locals. A Police helicopter and a K9 unit were deployed on Saturday. On Sunday morning Delta Search & Rescue received a call to assist from Leon Nolte, Melkbosstrand Disaster Management. He had been called by the Atlantis Police who had been unable to contact the Atlantis Disaster Management representative. Delta Manager on duty, Ross Hofmeyr (D42), after obtaining the basic facts, contacted the West Coast EMS officer to put WSAR in the picture. Assured of 30 'Bambanani' community workers to help search, seven Delta members proceeded to Atlantis SAPS with a Mobile Incident Command Unit in tow. Alex van Aswegen (D39) and Fabrice Stock (D38) were first to arrive and proceeded to set up the digital mapping system, plotting all known points and possible clues found over the previous two days. Ross arrived and continued to gather facts from Inspector Gabriel that could be of help. Roy van Schoor (D15) and Trevor Wyborn (D78) arrived with the MICU, Roy taking over the Search Management function. Christine Lombard (D46) was tasked with conducting a detailed interview with Rachel's sister while Trevor readied the MICU. The mapping system was relocated to the MICU and planning began in earnest. Unfortunately, the computer based search management team from Cape Town was unavailable. The thirty Bambanani personnel were divided into three teams of ten, radios and call signs issued where necessary, and tasked with searching three significant bushy areas surrounding the tip site. A group of horsemen from Mamre were brought in and tasked with searching an open area with particularly long grass. D42, with issued Land Rover 110, was tasked to proceed to all the previously found 'clues' and radio back GPS coordinates to the MICU, and then check an old farm werf and power line track to the West. Peter Jaeger (D96) checked the residence in Sun Road and then the tracks around the tip site. D38 checked the open areas and tracks entering the industrial area immediately South of Avondale, while D78 checked the tracks to the North West near the dunes. As the day progressed, teams were relocated to search segments of lower priority. At 20:00 hours, Inspector Gabriel called off the search. It would now be up to the police to continue with routine investigation procedures. P.S. As of January 7, 2005, no traces of Rachel have been found or any intelligence forthcoming. Roy van Schoor
Riviersonderend Search: 18 Jan 2005Received a call on Monday evening the 18th of January, 2005. 2 People, ±30yrs, one female, one male, were missing in Riviersonderend Canyon.Initialised a call-out. Teams arrived at about 24h00 at Nuweberg. Sent one team into the canyon along the escape route into Junction Pool, moving towards the weir. Another team was sent to Red Hat Crossing to search along the banks. Teams searched until 1.5hrs before sunrise and then rested. The search was recommenced at sunrise. The missing people were found about 500m from where the search team had camped. They were walked out towards the weir, arriving at Nuweberg at about 09h30. The missing persons were cold but had no injuries and were very happy to see us! The team worked very well together. A job well done. Thanks again guys!
Gavin Holroyd, Delta48
Glider
crash at Wildeperdehoek, Ashton: 04 February 05
-19h45I was informed by Worcester control room (Miss Lawrence) that a glider with one occupant had crashed at the abovementioned address. I requested them to inform Mr Webster and some members of our cell. Mr Ebrahim was already informed. Transport was arranged and I met Mr Ebrahim at the station. Some of the on-duty ambulanceman was sent to the scene to assess the situation and we were joined by Mr De Koker Whilst preparing to leave from Worcester, I was informed by the control room that our crash survivor had now got out of his plane and was walking around in the mountain (she was informed by Alison - Cape Gliding Club 0827287386). I requested her to call her back and to telephone the patient to stay with his plane so that we could locate him easier. They also reported that the patient was alert and that the plane hanging on the mountain edge. -20h15We (Davids, Ebrahim, De Koker & Cookson ) arrived on the scene and were welcomed by some local farmers, EMS members and police officers. GPS: 33º 47.432' S 20º 03.930' E
We were told that 3 farmers and a policeman had made their way to the patient and fortunately had established a direct line of communications with them. One male patient, fully alert, complaining of lower back pain was reported. The patient also reported that he had no known illness and requested some pain relief. They also reported that the farmer's party needed food, water and blankets to survive the cold. Leaving Mr Ebrahim at the rendezvous point, Mr Davids, De Koker and Cookson left with extra food, warmers and blankets to try and reach the patient. By now it was very dark and personal safety was paramount. On our way up we were called by Mr Webster confirming his availability if needed. I was also informed by Mr Ebrahim that he had been contacted by an insurance company. An aircraft was available to rescue the patient during that night if needed. I told Mr Ebrahim that we would assess the situation once we got to the patient and than make final decisions. -00h04Relying on headlights and a spotlight from the bottom to aid us, we arrived at the crash-site. I could only see the nose on the glider and the patient lying about 4 metres in front of it. He was on a makeshift bed made from the jackets of the farmers. He was fully alert, complaining of lower back pain and nausea and had a regular heart rate of 84 beats per minute. We repackaged the patient with the new blankets and gave him 50mg of Voltaren for pain and then made him some food. Since I could not see the complete glider due to the darkness and could not eliminate the possible dangers of flying fragments and other unseen hazards, and also based on the patient ‘s medical condition (back injury), I opted not to risk a helicopter at that time of night and under those conditions. I informed Mr Ebrahim of the above and decided rather to overnight with the patient - requesting him to inform Metro and to arrange a chopper with a winch for the next morning. During the night we manoeuvred the patient several times at his request because of the rough terrain. He also ate, made several phone calls and agreed with our intentions.
The next morningInformed and prepared everybody of the procedures, dangers and safety considerations of the rescue. Loose parts was gathered and stuffed into the glider. Mr De Koker and Cookson were prepared on the tie-in colour-coded straps of the Alpine stretcher and with the guide rope. We also planned to put the cushions from the glider underneath the patient on the Alpine stretcher (needed approval). We were ready at seven.
-09h10Skymed 2 arrived and dropped Greg with the stretcher. They then winched a farmer and the policeman that we had prepared in harnesses prior to their arrival. Under Greg’s supervision, we package the patient and he then called the chopper when we were ready. Whist we hoisted the patient, I took a photo whilst also controlling the guide rope. This action did not impress the pilot and was criticized during a short debriefing before their departure. After the patient was dropped, we were hot loaded and when we landed I founded our patient walking (with assistance) away from the chopper! We managed to get the patient back on the stretcher and he was taken to Stellenbosch Medi Clinic.
John David’s: WSAR CO-ORDINATOR
Kogmanskloof Search: 3 March 2005On 3/3/2005 at 20h40, the Metro Control Room in Worcester received a call
from the Montague South African Police Services that two persons had become lost
in the Kogmanskloof Hiking Trail area. The medical condition of the two people
was unknown. Mr. Ebrahim made contact with myself at 21h10, with an explanation
of the unfolding events. Dr. Robertson also made contact with me and requested that I put teams
together to commence with a search of the area. Mr. Ebrahim was tasked to
commence with team building with local manpower. The Head- quarters were set up at Mimosa Lodge in Montague where the planning
phase took place at 22h00 with all the role players taking part. After the brief three parties were established made up of two Emergency
Medical Service and two South African Police members
The parties were divided to make the search quicker: At approximately 02h00, team two located the missing English tourists
unharmed. The team guided them down the mountain back to Mimosa Lodge where they
were safely returned to the lodge at 04h00. The tourists showed much
appreciation towards the rescue team.
(Attached find pictures of the successful Rescue team with the rescued public.
An ending to a job well done by the public servants dedicated to performing
their duty 24 hours a day.)
Mark
Webster
Riviersonderend Gorge Callout: 2 April 2005Request for assistance received via midband radio to Zero Two (DSAR Control) from Nuweberg CapeNature station at around 2100 Saturday night - party of 3 men 20-30 years of age who had left their car at Nuweberg and indicated that they would be walking Riversonderend Kloof, but had not returned. Jimmy at Nuweberg had already checked Landdroskop Hut and the weir at the bottom of the gorge.Wayne Kitney, WSAR Winelands Cell manager notified and activated DSAR and HHSAR. CapeNature obviously already involved. Peninsula Cell manager notified. Around 12 HH/DSAR personnel with 2 4WD vehicles met at S'West SAPS 2130. Mispers left no emergency contact number on safety form at N'berg so vehicle registration traced via SAPS. Address but no contact number listed. Telkom indicated number is unlisted. Teams dispatched to N'berg. Myself and Ian Thompson of HHSAR delegated to manage on-scene as Wayne elected to stay in S'West in case of further callouts. Zero 2 contacted Grabouw & Villiersdorp SAPS to confirm that no-one had been picked up - this has happened before - and notified Jonkershoek/Assegaibos in case of a walk-out in that direction. At Nuweberg a base was established in a dedicated spare room in the CapeNature offices. Teams dispatched to form a trail trap at the weir, to check the hut at Boesmansklood (people have been known to miss the Suicide Gorge turnoff and walk right over Poffadder Nek...), to check the escape route at the farm "Versoek" and to establish a radio relay on the ridge between Riviersonderend Gorge and N'berg. Field teams were preparing to depart to check the trail as far as Suicide as well as the escape routes to Junction Pool and Versoek when the party nonchalantly turned up at their vehicle shortly after midnight. A debrief was held as soon as all WSAR personnel had returned!!
Ross Hofmeyr D42
Skeleton Gorge Injury: 27 April 2005A report was received from Ricardo via Metro to say that a
young male had fallen about 10m at the ladders in Skeleton Gorge. Dion Tromp activated Skymed on the grounds of the
information received and asked me to assemble a ground team at the Kirstenbosch
upper gate. The helicopter dropped a quick response team in the gorge
about 50m from the patient who was then stabilized and prepared for helicopter
evacuation. Everyone was back at Metro 1 at 17:30 Patient sustained serious head and leg injuries in a tumble
type fall. ( I believe) Groups that responded were Metro 1 and Metro doctor, High
Angle, Hikers Network, CPSS and Delta. 13 members in all. (MCSA and TM
Rescue offered assistance as well but were not required.) Ricardo had got the response number from a friend who works
for Disasters Management. Thanks to everyone who assisted Alan Butcher
Table Mountain Drive Down: 27 April 2005Call received from Dion at approx 19:00 saying that there
were 4 hikes with no injuries at the Table Mountain Huts ( Old standby quarters) Ross Hofmeyr was able to assist with a suitable vehicle and the party was brought down to Constantia neck at 20:45 2 adults and 2 Teenagers Jerome Charles, Craig
Benneker, Rain Benneker, Janine Manchest Ross dropped them in Mowbray where they would be met by the
wife. Thanks to the Hofmeyr family for the use of their vehicle. Alan Butcher
Robin Hood Cave Rescue: 2 May 2005The report was that a male aged 28, Troy Gilson from
Clovelly, had entered the cave solo and had not returned by 15:30 as arranged.
Assistance was summoned by his brother Lloyd who had waited outside the cave. Call received at 18:00. Initial response was 3
cavers, Metro 1, and 2 Parks officials (names unknown) Peter Swart & They left for the cave at 18:50 from Silvermine Car Park 2. Moved to Metro 1 position at 20:00. Received a call from Peter Swart at 20:25 that the patient
was in good health and on the way out of the cave. 20:50 All back at the vehicles. 21:20 Back at Silvermine gate. Thanks to all who helped
Banhoek Carryout: 20 May 2005On Friday 20 May, a party of three from Cape Nature at Jonkershoek were inspecting work done by an alien eradication contractor on the Northern slopes near Square Tower Peak. They were dropped off on the track near Square Tower Peak and were proceeding North down towards Banhoek when the subject became light headed and nauseas. A WSAR SMS callout resulted in a three man hasty response from the
Winelands Cell. The patient was located fairly quickly, with two other Cape
Nature employees on a very steep and rocky slope above Zewerivieren farm. Two DSAR medics assessed the patient, finding her to be suffering from moderate hyperthermia (heat exhaustion). This was conservatively managed with oral rehydration and electrolytes to resolve the severe muscle cramps, as well as active and passive cooling. Within 20 minutes the patient had recovered sufficiently to begin an assisted walk down the slope. However, due to the ongoing heat and difficult terrain her symptoms returned after a distance of about 100 meters, and a decision to re-institute the cooling and convey the patient down in a stretcher was taken. A follow-up team with a stretcher was dispatched. During the wait for the stretcher team the party with the patient was closely approached by two separate puff-adders (Bitis arietans), which retreated when dissuaded with noise and movement. This served as a good reminder for rescuers to pay careful attention when moving in a wilderness environment. The patient was monitored while waiting and during the stretcher descent, and had recovered enough to walk to the rescue vehicle once off the stretcher on the road.
A debrief was held where a discussion on the functions of a hasty team and a backup team was held. A big thank you to the personnel from Hottentots-Holland SAR and Delta SAR who responded so enthusiastically to the callout. Roy van Schoor
Fisanthoek Search: 23 May 2005On the evening of the 23 May 2005, at about 23:05 I received a call from my shift officer on duty about a person who apparently went missing. The details are as follow: 1. Caller: Plett SAPD 2. Time of call: 22:00 (The time SAPD received call) 3. Location: Fisanthoek (Between Knysna and Plet) 4. History: A adult white male, 37 years old, ex drug addict and ex psychofrenic patient. He informed his friends that he wants to go for a walk at 15:00 the afternoon. He apparently knows the area very well. Clothes that he had on was a jean, takkies, and a green T- Shirt. The route that he apparently took, would not have taken him longer than 3-4 hours. At 22:00 the evening he still did not arrive back, hence the call of a possible missing person was made to the Plett SAPD, by Neil (owner of the farm). 5. Plan of action: I immediately asked my shift officer (Mr. J. Luiters) to contact the WSAR duty manager (Mr. S. Taylor). Mr. Taylor based on the information given to him then declared the call a WSAR incident. After this I informed the Metro Doctor on call (Dr. De Jager) about the incident. We activated the possible role players and made the farmers house our JOC. Role players involved: - Knysna EMS x 4 On arrival at the Farm house representatives from each discipline formed the JOC, of which Mr. H. Roman was the coordinator. The plan of action was first to set up a profile of the person as well as the area. The group was then divided in to 5 of which one was a 4 x4 bakkie to do a road search along the main routes. A team leader was selected for each group. At about 02:13 am on the 24 May 2005 the search began in all earnest. Continuous sit reps was given. At 04: 00 all the groups returned from their respective routes. This was followed up with a debriefing and also to discuss the next plan of action. Several attempts was made to get hold Nature conservation personnel or SAFCOL proved fruitless. I then decided that the team should have a break until day break, reason being most of them were a bit tired, give the portables and torches a chance to recharge and most importantly the area is very dense so I thought it senseless to go and search again. At day break we were joined by the Nature conservation guys. At this time we received a new lead that someone was active at one of the huts in Harkerville (made fire and dried our clothing). We then shifted our focus to the Harkerville trail. Various groups once again began the search, this included vehicles. At 09:05 one of the vehicle crews spotted a person on the gravel roads who matched the identity of the missing person. Upon confrontation, they discovered that he was indeed the person we were looking for. All the grous were informed and they returned to the JOC. At 10:20 everyone arrived at the JOC. A full medical examination was done and the following was determined: Tiredness, thirst, mild hypothermia. He was given fluids, warm clothing and he eventually refused transport or further treatment at the hospital. Conclusion: Search went off well with no problems encounted. Suggestions from personnel: Funds be made available for the purpose of buying refreshments for personnel members as not all disciplines are equipped with rack sacks. Llewellyn Nankoo
Flares Above Swellendam: 17 June 2005A Search was done in the mountains above Swellendam on The incident
log attached speaks for itself. The search was called off after a policemen later admitted
to have fired the two flares while at a braai at the foot of the mountain.
Blind Gully Scrambling Accident: 14 July 200510.15 Call from Metro Control – climber fallen on Table Mountain - contact Peter Zoutendyk Called Peter and he offers following information - party of 12 climbing in Blind Gully - a female has taken a fall of approximately 2-3m - suspected broken femur - diagnosis by another member of the party who is a doctor, Dr Joseph Smith - they are positioned under an overhang and will have to walk to a potential hoist site - there are 11 able persons to help carry the stretcher if need be - I inform PZ of our procedure with approximate response times - I acquired a second cell no: Cathy 10.25 Called Metro Control to request Skymed…approval from Dr Wayne Smith - Metro Control called Skymed and also informed Michael Anand that he was on level 2 duty and that he should stand by for collection from Metro Base Called Andy Lewis and asked him to respond as level 1 on my behalf as I was acting manager - AL to return home to collect equipment and will be ready for collection by Skymed from his personal LZ Called AMS base and briefed Gary McCormick - Skymed was returning from another incident and had to refuel at AMS base - Marc Perkins is pilot and Andre Oliphant senior paramedic - Skymed to collect MA from Metro Base and then AL from personal LZ 10.50 Called PZ to update 11.40 Called PZ for information - they were busy carrying the patient to the lift site 12.18 Metro informs me that patient is on the way to Vincent Palloti and that Skymed will return for AL Called AL to update and he informs me that the hoist went well 12.40 AL safely off mountain and Skymed returns to AMS base 12.50 Called Metro Control to stand down Called Peter Zoutendyk for information. A party of 12 persons went scrambling down Blind Gulley and then along a known traverse of B grade to Porcupine Buttress. The leader was familiar with the route. A hand hold broke; the patient fell approximately 3m and sustained multiple hip fractures. After the patient was airlifted to hospital the rest of the party completed the scramble and descended safely. Craig Clayden
George Peak Flashing Lights: 15 July 2005On
15 July 2005 at approximately 20h30, the George Fire Department received a call
from a member of the public to report a suspected distress signal by flashing
light in the vicinity of George Peak. The caller stated that this flashing light
had been operational for some time and it appeared to be some sort of code. The
WSAR manager on duty was informed and a call out to the George Fire Department
via Metro District Control was initiated to the following disciplines -
This
call out was for the purpose of putting a search team together as well as to
assess the facts at hand and devise a plan of action. The
facts impacting on an immediate search team dispatch were as follows:
Nevertheless,
there was someone up there and it was obvious due to the signaling frequency
that this person/s wanted to be seen. A
decision was made at 21h20 to drive to the FM tower at first light and to put a
search team onto the mountain. EMS
doctor on call (Dr Smith) was informed and authorisation was given for Skymed 2
to do an aerial search as soon as it was light the next day. The
flashing light was observed intermittently until about 22h30 and a further
request for Skymed 2 to undertake a night flight was made and declined at
approximately 22h20. Skymed
2 took off at about 07h35 the next morning (16 July 2005) with a crewmember from
Eden District Council who had an intimate knowledge of the area in question. The
party was soon located - it turned out to be a group of teenagers camping
overnight who had been signaling to their friends in town! The
flight medic assessed the group and found them all healthy. The next step was to
inform this group in the strongest terms (they can be lucky I was not there)
about how the flashing of their torches the previous evening resulted in a
rescue mission being planned and executed and the ultimate waste of time and
resources. I
except that this group did not act maliciously and had no idea of what was
transpiring within the rescue services whilst they were communicating with their
friends. I
believe that Nature Conservation will follow up the matter of the unauthorised
use of the hiking trail. A
press release specifically designed to bring this incident to the attention of
the public in general, and to warn persons utilising the many trails and
mountain hikes in the area that the casual use of torches and mirrors can
inadvertently initiate a rescue call out. Stewart Taylor
Kogelberg Cyclists: 16 July 2005On Saturday morning two cyclist set out on the bike track
at Kogelberg Nature Reserve near Kleinmond. By A small WSAR team consisting of members from Overstrand
municipality and Nature Conservation under leadership of One person was soon found and he reported that his friend
was about six km up a kloof and was exhausted.
Millwood Ankle Fracture: 21 July 2005The call occurred at 13.20 on 21 July 2005. Cathy from National Parks initiated the call. The information was that a hiker had fallen down an incline and had fractured his ankle in the vicinity of Millwood in the Knysna State Forest. The incident was coordinated by Mr Richard Botha, a paramedic based in George who in conjunction with the Metro Doctor on call decided to despatch Skymed 2 to the incident. The forest ranger at Diepwalle station, Mr K Havenga was contacted via Metro District Control to ascertain direct whereabouts and coordinates. Based on this information, Skymed 2 was despatched directly to the incident scene. Due to the nature of the terrain at the incident site, the rescue crew had no option but to initiate a sked - down hot load and the procedure went off without incident. The patient, a Mr R Devenford was airlifted to Medi Clinic in George. Organisations involved:
Stewart Taylor
Grootwinterhoek Search: 4 August 200516H34: Worcester base was
contacted by Ceres base (Paul) to report two (2) persons missing in the
Grootwinterhoek mountains. Ceres was informed by Tulbagh SAPS. 16H38 Michael Lewis (CNCB)
was alerted. 16H39 Mr Webster was
contacted - left a message on his mobile. 17H00 Contacted Metro
(Ettienne) who informed Dr De Vries. 17H03 Worcester base was
informed by Mr Lewis that the Patient was at Luisekop, 5 hours to walk in the
Saron Region. The patient was complaining of stomach cramps and severe chest
pain and already had 7 men available. 17H20 I contacted Johan
Cristians, (the caller) the land surveyor, who informed me that apart from
himself and the patient, there was another group of 5 lower down the mountain.
They were all unprepared to overnight - no food, water or warm clothing or any
experience to overnight.
17H40 Metro informed me
(John) that a helicopter had been arranged from the Air Force as it was too late
for Skymed. Armed with a 4x4 vehicle and the WSAR trailer, I left Worcester for
Tulbagh. I requested Mr Rhoda to informed Mr Felix of the situation. 19H00 Mr Dion Tromp informed me that the chopper was airborne and we devised a plan to light up the sports field for a safe landing. I was then informed that the chopper would not land at any location due to the risks involve. They planned to fly straight to the victims, extract them and return to Cape Town. Due to the weather conditions, the above plan did not succeed. The chopper with rescue crew flew straight back to Cape Town. The rescue crew than returned to Tulbagh by road. During the operation, we sent the SAPS to check on the
caller's bakkie where he had left it in the mountain. We found one (1) of the
lost persons at the bakkie. He had been sent back by the surveyor earlier for he
was walking too slowly, carrying all the food and water. Since we had no more cellphone comms with our victims,
we manage to contact his partner Jan Rens, hoping to get more information. Later
we departed to Saron. 23H20 We all, including the
Cape Town crew, arrived at Saron SAPS and had a short briefing. Plan - will
proceed to De Hoek farm, and a small group would hike (climb) the cable route
(no existing path) in an attempt to reach the victims. 00H00 We arrived on the
northern side of Luisekop - this time the sky was clear and Rik opted to call on
the chopper again. 00H27 Dion reports that he
is awaiting confirmation from Ysterplaat. 01H50 We were informed that
the chopper will fly with a new crew straight to the patient and return to Cape
Town. 02H20 This time the chopper
will finally land, drop the patient, load Rik and some of his crew and return
home. We prepare an LZ using vehicle lights and park an ambulance with flashing
beacons under an overhead wire. 03H28 The chopper arrived,
collected the victims, landed and proceeded as planned (hot loaded) 03H38 The patient -Jakob
Fortuin, 37 years old, was fully alert, breathing spontaneously, pulse - 86 bpm,
Blood pressure 130/80 - had no more (chest/stomach) pain. He confessed to a
history of similar pains for the past six years – under no medication. I concluded physical exhaustion and (?) Inflammation to
the intercostals muscles. He agreed to see a doctor the next day. 04H30 We arrived back at
Tulbagh SAPS and decided to continue our search for the rest (4) at first light. 06H15 We proceeded to the
farm Die Ster, where their bakkie had been left, and later spotted one of them
high in the mountain (binoculars). By now I was convinced that they could make
their way down safely and that there was no need for a search and rescue team. 09H00 The four (4) victims
safely reached us. I reported this to Metro and departed. Organisations involved: EMS; CNCB;
SAPS; Carol; SAAF; MCSA; Hi Angle; Delta Total Hours: 17 John Davids
Chinese Tourists lost
on TM
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