BETWEEN A ROCK...

Steep cliffs, a treacherous and slippery south-facing path and a challenging stretch of rocky shoreline near Herold’s Bay made for a dramatic rescue on a sunny Sunday morning when most people were enjoying quality time with their loved ones. By Cherelle Leong

PEANUTS AND JUNGLE Energy Bars aren’t exactly what you envisage for a Father’s Day lunch but sometimes when you’re a Sea Rescue volunteer, that’s what ends up on the menu. On Sunday 21 June, Garth Dominy, the station commander at Station 23 (Wilderness) received a call from a group of hikers. It was 10h40 in the morning and they had been making their way along a coastal trail near Herold’s Bay. One of their party, a 65-year-old local resident, had separated from the group, climbed up a cliff and was unable to go any further. The steep and slippery path was south-facing and therefore also covered with moss and dripping water. As a result, it would be extremely treacherous for him to try to climb back down. It was clear to the rest of the hiking group that they needed to call for assistance.

The incident happened on a remote stretch of coastline with intermittent cellphone signal. Judging from the description of the area given by the hiker who called it in, Garth suspected it was likely below the old George shooting range. He asked for a map pin to be sent to him to confirm the location. The caller had to hike up a section of the path to get a better signal, but when the pin came through, Garth’s decision was on point.

Station 23 crew launched the 5,5m Spirit of Rotary from the base, while the 4,2 RIB ClemenGold Rescuer was towed to Herold’s Bay. Metro EMS and the Western Cape Department of Health EMS/ AMS rescue helicopter were placed on standby.

Station 23’s two rescue vessels and the Western Cape Department of Health EMS/AMS rescue helicopter were on scene. .

Although it was a calm sunny day, the area Garth offered to collect the Metro EMS incident where the hiker was stuck is known for its steep commander from Herold’s Bay so that he could cliffs. Two-metre waves pounded the rocky see the conditions for himself and confirm the shoreline, making access challenging. It took need for a helicopter evacuation. As soon as some skilful maneuvering of ClemenGold Rescuer the incident commander arrived on the scene through the surf and back out again to drop off and saw the location of the casualty high up on rescue swimmer Ross Labuschagne, who then the cliff, he confirmed that Garth’s call was the swam to shore. Ross had a radio with him to correct one and the Western Cape Department communicate with the rescue boat. He quickly of Health EMS/AMS rescue helicopter was acticlimbed up to the casualty and found him uninvated. In the meantime ClemenGold Rescuer was jured but anxious and fatigued. The casualty was able to get closer inshore and dropped a second also starting to get hypothermic from exposure rescue swimmer. Dewalt Pretoruis was equipped on the cliff face. Ross relayed this information to with space blankets and drinking water, so that the crew on the boat and confirmed that trying to they could make the casualty more comfortable. Further up the hill, above

It would be extremely treacherous for [the hiker] to try the cliff, the Station 23 shore to climb back down. It was clear to the rest of the hiking crew secured a landing zone group that they needed to call for assistance. for the helicopter just below the old George shooting take the casualty back down the path would be range. The actual extraction took less than 20 extremely dangerous, especially seeing as he was minutes because the casualty was uninjured and already tired. The surface of the steep path was a could be hoisted in a harness. After bringing him combination of brittle sandstone and mossto safety, the helicopter then returned for the two covered rocks, and would be difficult to navigate, rescue swimmers. The operation concluded at even for someone young and fit. The best option 14h34 and made for a very memorable Father’s was going to be a helicopter evacuation. Day for all involved.