Hike ends in tragedy on Table Mountain, South Africa
A grandfather from Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, fell about 20 metres to his death after apparently taking a wrong turn while hiking with his 11-year-old grandson on Table Mountain in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The grandfather, 72, and his grandson from Australia had been hiking to the top of the mountain where his wife and a friend were waiting for them. Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) member Kevin Tromp said rangers had walked the traumatised grandson down the mountain and a Metro Emergency Medical Services psychologist was in place to give the child trauma counselling.
On Wednesday night, the boy's mother, who was in Australia, was planning to fly to Cape Town. This latest incident comes a day after a British hiker had to be helped from the hazardous India Venster route - which rangers and rescuers will next week reinspect to decide on improved safety measures - after she also got lost.
Rescuers say better-worded and placed warning signs may have prevented the latest accident, which occurred on India Ravine. On Wednesday, police could not yet identify the man, as his relatives were still contacting other family members about the tragedy.
Tromp said the grandfather and his grandson started hiking in the morning, planning to meet the child's grandmother at the restaurant at the top of the mountain. They had taken a wrong path and ended up on India Ravine, where the accident happened.
"They got snarled up on the waterfall. The (grandfather) then fell about 15 to 20 metres from the waterfall, landing at the foot of it and sustaining fatal injuries," Tromp said.
He said the child, who had a cellphone, apparently called his grandmother, who alerted rescuers. "I then phoned (the grandson) and he handled it all incredibly. He gave me completely accurate information."
Tromp said a rescue team had been airlifted to the scene, but on arrival they found the grandfather was already dead.
The grandfather, 72, and his grandson from Australia had been hiking to the top of the mountain where his wife and a friend were waiting for them. Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) member Kevin Tromp said rangers had walked the traumatised grandson down the mountain and a Metro Emergency Medical Services psychologist was in place to give the child trauma counselling.
On Wednesday night, the boy's mother, who was in Australia, was planning to fly to Cape Town. This latest incident comes a day after a British hiker had to be helped from the hazardous India Venster route - which rangers and rescuers will next week reinspect to decide on improved safety measures - after she also got lost.
Rescuers say better-worded and placed warning signs may have prevented the latest accident, which occurred on India Ravine. On Wednesday, police could not yet identify the man, as his relatives were still contacting other family members about the tragedy.
Tromp said the grandfather and his grandson started hiking in the morning, planning to meet the child's grandmother at the restaurant at the top of the mountain. They had taken a wrong path and ended up on India Ravine, where the accident happened.
"They got snarled up on the waterfall. The (grandfather) then fell about 15 to 20 metres from the waterfall, landing at the foot of it and sustaining fatal injuries," Tromp said.
He said the child, who had a cellphone, apparently called his grandmother, who alerted rescuers. "I then phoned (the grandson) and he handled it all incredibly. He gave me completely accurate information."
Tromp said a rescue team had been airlifted to the scene, but on arrival they found the grandfather was already dead.
Many Lion’s fans are expected in South Africa to support their team. ”Coupled with the IPL Cricket which ends on 23 May, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June and the ICC 8-Nations Champions’ Trophy in September, South Africa is certainly expecting thousands of fans for the upcoming top level sporting events,” notes Robert Wilson. CEO of travelinsouthafrica.net . “Fans can easily take off a few days between matches to explore Cape Town, Robben Island, and Cape Point,” he said. “Hikers should be especially careful before venturing onto Table Mountain.”
This article was originally published on page 1 of Cape Times on April 16, 2009
