Cape Town – A group of eight hikers was rescued after being trapped by a flooded river gorge while hiking between Worcester and Ceres in the Western Cape.
According to Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR), the hikers had started their hike on Sunday, March 19 on the Witels hike – a favourite wilderness “kloofing” hike-and-swim, between Worcester and Ceres – and were expected to exit below the Michell’s Pass on Thursday, March 23.
“But after the weekend’s torrential downpours, the group alerted family members via satellite phone that the river level had risen dramatically, and they were delayed,” WSAR spokesperson David Nel said.
He said the group was also running low on food.
“Two friends of the trapped hikers then attempted to assist, by swimming across the Breede river, below Michell’s Pass, to attempt to access the group and bring them food,” said Nel.
They too, became trapped, said Nel.
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“WSAR received a call for assistance on Saturday afternoon, and a multi-disciplinary team of 22 rescuers was dispatched to locate and rescue the stranded hikers.
“On Saturday evening, as dark fell, the team was prevented from entering the kloof by the raging waters exiting the Witels river.
“At first light on Sunday morning, a group of more than 30 rescuers readied themselves, before a small team was flown into the kloof to locate the stranded group of hikers.
“At the same time, SAPS WPDS and SAPS K9 SAR located and safely brought the two hikers back across the swollen Breede river in inflatable crafts,” said Nel.
He said that the team on board the Western Cape Department Health EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter located the group, and rescuers were hoisted down to the hikers.
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