2 rescued from Robberg Hiking Trail
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS – “Last night, NSRI Plettenberg Bay volunteers were activated following reports from local police that two British tourists had wandered off the hiking trail at the Robberg Nature Reserve and lost their way,” explains NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander, Ray Farnham.
“The two British tourists – Margaret Pilling (65) and Jean Scurrah (59), both from Yorkshire, United Kingdom – are on holiday touring South Africa and had decided to go for a walk on the Robberg Nature Reserve Hiking Trail.
“During the walk they appear to have wandered off course, causing them to lose their way on the hiking trail. When night fell, they decided to call for help.
“Once they had reached the rescue authorities on the phone (a task which took about two hours and included phoning the one lady’s son in the United Kingdom) they were ordered by rescue authorities (through an intermittent weak cell signal, mostly by SMS) to stay where they were.
“Although it was not exactly clear to the rescuers where on the Robberg Hiking Trail the two ladies were, a search and rescue party was activated.
“The SA Police Service, NSRI Plettenberg Bay volunteers, a Metro EMS rescue team and Medlife Ambulance Service were activated and both ladies were found at around 20:50 at a hut at Point 14 on the trail. They were both escorted to safety.
“The two ladies were then escorted to the N2 Freeway and they have confirmed they arrived safely at their lodgings in Knysna.
“They have both been commended for calling for help rather than trying to negotiate the unfamiliar hiking trail alone in the dark!”
Released by Sea Rescue Communications.
Article : Knysna Plett Herald