When accepting help gets you home safely. A delayed Friday night rescue up Table Mountain highlighted the importance of allowing rescue teams to intervene as early as possible.
Cape Town, South Africa (04 August 2026) – A hiking trip didn’t quite go as planned when a group of students had one of their members suffer an unexpected injury on Table Mountain on Friday afternoon.
The group had set off earlier that morning from Kloof Nek, ascending via Diagonal before traversing the mountain toward Platteklip Gorge. However, after a young woman in the party injured her ankle between Echo Valley and the top of the gorge, she was unable to continue safely, prompting a call to Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR). Responders immediately mobilised, deploying via the Constantia Nek jeep track to reach the scene.
While rescuers were en route, the group decided to take matters into their own hands. They informed WSAR that they would carry the injured hiker down Platteklip Gorge themselves and declined any further assistance, causing the rescue team to stand down.
A decision that later proved misguided, as shortly before 11 pm, WSAR was alerted to a hiking party in distress while descending Platteklip Gorge. It was quickly established that this was the same group who had earlier requested assistance.
Rescue teams were immediately redeployed with warm clothing, food and water for the exhausted hikers.
A provincial EMS paramedic assessed and treated the injured hiker before rescuers slowly assisted her down the remainder of the trail to a waiting ambulance. She was transported to hospital for further assessment and treatment.
The rescue operation was concluded at 1:20 am on Saturday morning. Although the incident concluded without further injury, WSAR said that the group’s decision to press on without rescue assistance delayed medical assessment and treatment for the injured hiker. It also highlighted the importance of allowing rescue teams to intervene as early as possible.
The rescue network reminds outdoor enthusiasts to call for help as soon as it becomes clear that you or your group may not be able to complete the hike safely, and to accept assistance early to prevent a manageable incident from becoming a prolonged rescue.
“Stay where you are unless your situation becomes immediately unsafe or rescue teams advise otherwise. Changing plans without informing rescuers can delay medical care and duplicate rescue efforts. We extend our appreciation to all volunteers and partner agencies who responded to the incident and remind anyone requiring assistance in the mountains to call 021 937 0300 as soon as possible,” WSAR said.
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