Hiker Survives 40-Metre Fall in Jonkershoek After Major Rescue Operation
A 60-year-old hiker is recovering in hospital after surviving a 40-metre fall from the Second Waterfall hiking trail in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch on Thursday morning, 18 June.
The man had been part of a group walking the popular trail when the incident happened. According to Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), he reportedly stepped awkwardly, lost his footing and fell down steep ground next to the path.
His fellow hikers acted quickly. Realising the seriousness of the fall, they moved to an area where they could get cellphone reception and contacted emergency services.
A coordinated rescue effort was launched soon afterwards.
A small rescue team, which included a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedic, was flown directly to the scene. Their priority was to reach the injured man as quickly as possible to assess his condition and stabilise him.
At the same time, additional WSAR rescuers made their way into the area on foot. They were assisted by a CapeNature work party. The team carried specialised technical rescue equipment and a stretcher needed to reach the patient safely in the difficult terrain.
The area alongside the trail is steep and challenging, making access complicated. Rescue teams had to set up a rope system to reach the injured hiker securely.
Once they reached him, paramedics treated him at the scene. After stabilising him, rescuers carefully secured him in a stretcher.
Using the rope system, the team hauled the stretcher back up to the trail. From there, rescuers carried the patient to a suitable location for an aerial evacuation.
The Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS worked together with the Air Mercy Service (AMS) to complete the final stage of the rescue.
A rescue helicopter performed a hoist operation, lifting the patient from the remote area and flying him to a nearby landing zone. There, he was transferred to a waiting ambulance and taken to hospital for further medical treatment.
The full rescue operation required close cooperation between emergency medical staff, rescue volunteers and conservation officials. Each team played a key role in ensuring the injured hiker was reached, treated and evacuated safely.
In a statement, WSAR expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the operation.
“Their willingness to leave work, family and personal commitments to assist others reflects the very best of the outdoor and rescue community,” the organisation said.
The Second Waterfall trail is a well-known route within the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve and attracts both local and visiting hikers. While popular, parts of the trail include steep sections and uneven ground, which can become hazardous, particularly if hikers lose their footing.
Authorities often remind visitors to wear suitable footwear, remain alert on narrow or steep sections and hike in groups where possible. In this case, the presence of fellow hikers and their swift decision to seek help were critical in ensuring a rapid response.
The man’s survival after a fall of such distance is considered fortunate. Thanks to the combined efforts of trained rescue teams and emergency medical personnel, he was able to receive treatment without delay.
Further details about his condition have not been released, but he remains in hospital receiving care.
The incident highlights both the risks associated with mountain hiking and the importance of the well-organised rescue structures operating in the Western Cape.
