Belgian woman collapses on Platteklip Gorge; saved by trail runner

Rescuers from Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) responded to an emergency on Platteklip Gorge after a 66-year-old Belgian woman collapsed while hiking with her husband on the lower section of the trail on Sunday morning.

According to WSAR, the couple had walked from the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Lower Cable Station to the base of the gorge in very hot conditions when the woman suddenly began to feel weak.

“She sat down and briefly lost consciousness before regaining awareness and vomiting – a concerning sign of heat-related illness,” said WSAR spokesperson, David Nel

According to Nel, a passing trail runner from West Coast Athletic Club reportedly recognised the seriousness of the situation and immediately raised the alarm by calling the emergency number.

While waiting for rescuers to arrive, the runner reportedly used a space blanket from her running pack to create a makeshift sun shield, protecting the patient from further exposure.

“When rescuers reached the scene, the woman was actively cooled with wet towels placed on her neck and back while a paramedic assessed her condition.”

After being assessed by a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic, rescuers piggy-backed the patient down the trail to a waiting ambulance before she was transported to the hospital for further medical care.

The incident was concluded shortly after 12h00 on Sunday.

“WSAR would like to extend a sincere thank you to Medhold Medical for their generous donation of emergency space blankets. We’d also like to recognise the runner who raised the alarm, Stephanie Crossland.”