A 22 year old woman, who was part of an alien vegetation clearing team, died in the mountains surrounding the Wemmershoek Dam on Sunday, amid the inclement weather.
The team was busy descending from their remote camp between Paarl and Franschhoek on Sunday evening, to avoid the worst of the storm, when the woman fell down a gorge.
Her team members then called for help.
A large multi-agency team of dedicated professionals and volunteers from Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) responded to the call, and rescuers hiked in to assist.
Unfortunately, the 22-year-old woman was found deceased.
Due to the treacherous conditions, a decision was made to return and recover her body at first light on Monday morning.
Setting out early on Monday morning, a large multi-disciplinary team, including members the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness EMS, SAPS WPDS and Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) members, assisted SAPS to recover the woman’s body.
Photo by Nico Meyer
Her body was placed into a rescue stretcher, carried back to the staging point and handed over to local SAPS and forensic services members on scene.
The incident was concluded shortly after 20h00 on Monday evening.
Wilderness Search and Rescue has extended its deepest sympathy to the friends and family of the woman.
The agency has reminded hikers to save the Emergency Contact Number – 021 937 0300.
