A German tourist is lucky to be alive after a 25m plunge above the Devil’s Peak Saddle path area on Table Mountain.
The 47-year-old man landed on a narrow ledge against lone tree and sustained multiple fractures to his leg, arm, ribs and possibly his spine.
The Peninsula Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) was activated by his hiking partner at 2.25pm on Wednesday.
According to WSAR the two hikers were attempting to ascend Table Mountain via a lesser-used route when the terrain proved too challenging for them.
“After turning back, they tried to retrace their way when one of them slipped and fell a distance of approximately 25 metres.”
The narrow ledge against a lone tree which the man fell on prevented him from falling over the edge, most certainly saving him from much more severe injuries or worse.
Close to 35 volunteers and paid professionals were involved in the rescue, the tourist was airlifted to Groote Schuur Hospital and later transferred to a private medical facility for more treatment.
More: IOL