Three hikers had a harrowing experience on the Banhoek Mountains last weekend when they were struck by a rockfall.
According to reports the group was on a rock ledge when a large rock fell close to them, shattering on impact and sending sharp shards of rock flying towards them.
David Nel, spokesperson for the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), said in a statement that the rocks rained down on the hikers and they suspect the rocks had been dislodged by baboons.
Nel said the group of seven hikers ventured into the gorges above Banhoek outside Stellenbosch early on Saturday.
They spent the night in the mountains and returned via Volstruiskloof on Sunday.
After a break for lunch they noticed a large group of baboons above them. According to the hikers the baboons seemed “excited” and “curious about the people”, so they were not particularly worried and kept walking.
“Two members of the group completed a 55 m abseil when a rock of around 60 kg hit the small rock bank on which the remaining five hikers were standing,” said Nel.
Three hikers were hit and injured by sharp pieces of rock.
The three injured walkers could not walk when rescue workers arrived on the scene. It is suspected that they suffered broken bones due to the impact.
“Although the signal was not good, one hiker managed to make an SOS call at 14:57,” says Nel.
The provincial department of health’s Air Mercy Service (AMS) helicopter was mobilised with a WSAR team on board, who were lowered to the patients. The most seriously injured patient was airlifted by helicopter and the remaining two were hoisted down the edge using harnesses.
The remaining four walkers managed to walk to safety.
Nel said one of the injured apparently required surgery, but all were recovering well.
