When a teenage boy suffered an unexpected snakebite in the remote part of the Cederberg mountains, a hiking trip instantly became a race against time – a challenge his group of schoolmates was miraculously prepared to face.
Cederberg, South Africa (01 December 2025) – A hiking adventure in the remote Cederberg took a challenging turn when a teen from a group of high schoolers was bitten by a small Berg Adder on Friday, 28 November.
The group, making their way from Kromrivier toward Sneeuberg, rallied together when the learner was bitten on the hand while tying his shoelaces.
According to Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), their outing had been meticulously planned, resulting in a swift and effective response to manage the rare snakebite incident.
“Each group in the area followed reliable communication protocols, with locations actively tracked via Garmin InReach devices. The teens reacted immediately, photographing the snake to confirm the species and raising the alarm,” WSAR said.
Emergency services were quickly dispatched via helicopter to reach the young hiker, who was hoisted from the mountain and flown back to Cape Town for further medical treatment.
The incident underscored the value of careful planning, quick thinking and the right technology, which in such threatening situations and remote wilderness areas, are more than convenient – they become a lifeline.
A lifeline that has brought a wave of relief for the boy’s family, who thanked the emergency services and all involved in locating and rescuing their injured son.
“Not sure who specifically to thank, but I cannot emphasise enough how amazing they were and how well they handled the situation. (Thank you, Ayesha and Earl, from AMS, who were with him from extraction to delivering him to the emergency). We also cannot begin to express how incredible the school has been – their staff, organisation, communication and handling of this situation was nothing short of extraordinary,” said grateful mom, Kate Jones, responding to the WSAR post.
We’re so glad that this teenager’s frightening experience concluded with remarkable dedication, teamwork, and compassion. We commend the fast response of all involved and wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Sources: Wilderness Search and Rescue WSAR Western Cape
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 