Tree saves tourist after plunge down Table Mountain

A German tourist who fell 25m on the front face of Table Mountain was saved by a lone tree, rescuers said on Thursday.

The 47-year-old, who sustained suspected multiple fractures, was airlifted to hospital after a “very technical” stretcher journey to the top of the mountain, Wilderness Search and Rescue spokesperson Johan Marais said.

He said the alarm was raised on Wednesday afternoon by a second German, who said his hiking partner was clinging to a ledge after a “huge fall” above the Devil’s Peak saddle.

“This section of the mountain is a more technical area with steep scrambles and routes that require rope plus safety aids,” Marais said.

A strong southeaster ruled out the use of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in the rescue, he said, but rescuers asked the SA Air Force for help and a helicopter took off from 22 Squadron at Ysterplaat.

“The patient was stabilised and secured in a rescue stretcher, after which he was hoisted into the helicopter and flown to the dedicated landing zone at Groote Schuur Hospital.

“Here he was transferred to a road ambulance which transported him to a private medical facility.”

Marais said the tourists were trying to ascend the mountain by a lesser-used route and the terrain had proved too challenging.

“They tried to retrace their way when one of them slipped and fell approximately 25m.

“He landed on a narrow ledge against a lone tree which prevented him from falling over the edge. ”—