8 men trapped on hiking trail

An EMS and WSAR (Wilderness Search and Rescue) rescue team, headed by on-scene commander Dr. Wayne Smith, were at the Rocket Road, Llandudno, entrance to the Karbonkelberg hiking trail, from first light to guide the 8 men who had begun to walk towards Llandudno in thick mist at first light this morning.

Considerations to have a rescue helicopter airlift them to safety this morning were abandoned due to the thick mist.The 8 men reported that they had experienced a rather cold but not uncomfortable night.

Once the men had hiked closer towards Llandudno it became evident that they would require no further assistance.

The emergency supplies that had been given to the men by sea rescue boat during the night was not able to be floated ashore due to the unfavorable sea conditions and as a result NSRI Hout Bay rescue swimmer, Dean Morrison, had swum the supplies ashore.

At 11h15 on Monday, 04th June the men reached their vehicles at the Sandy Bay car park in Llandudno, without requiring any further assistance.

They are Etienne Kruger, Andre Harms, Torsten Harms, Roger van Schie, Mark Klein, Max du Plessis, Matthees Brodner and Trevor Davis.

Trevor is from Durban, the rest of the men, all in their early 20′s, are from Cape Town and Torsten is from Hermanus. According to the men they were hiking on the trail and had been swimming and snorkeling before getting into difficulties and unable to proceed as night fell before calling for help.

Arrangements have been made for the men to return the watertight canister, that was used to deliver emergency rations to them to NSRI Hout Bay later today.

The men have expressed their gratitude to NSRI and the Emergency Services for the assistance.

Original release – HOUT BAY Sunday 03 June 2012. 8 men trapped on a hiking trail:

At 17h30 on Sunday, 03 June NSRI Hout Bay were called out following a request for assistance from 8 men stuck on a hiking trail between Llandudno and Hout Bay. They had tried to find their way out but kept heading into dead ends on the steep hiking trail and with night approaching, they requested help.

Brad Geyser, NSRI Hout Bay station commander said that his duty crew launched Albie Matthews and Nedbank Rescuer I and on arrival found the men on the shore in good health but requiring guidance to get out of their predicament.

At first attempts were made to get them off using our rescue boats but sea conditions were not favorable and as a result the METRO EMS were activated and an EMS rescue team and WSAR (Wilderness Search and Rescue) team were activated.

Following a logistics briefing it was decided to transport emergency supplies by NSRI rescue boat to the men who remained where they are until day break and then they can be guided out to the Llandudno side of the hiking trail by EMS and WSAR rescuers.

The emergency supplies, consisting of water, space blankets and food were delivered to the men by rescue boat. They have been requested to conserve battery power on their cell-phones and EMS rescue authorities will check in with the men at intervals during the night.

An EMS and WSAR rescue team will remain on alert during the night to hike to the men if any emergency develops.

The 8 men, aged between 20 and 25, are from Sea Point, Hout Bay and Camps Bay but to conserve their cell phone batteries we are not going into further details or getting their names at this stage.

They have informed their family members that they are safe but staying on the mountain for the night.

Llandudno ADT security and the SA Police Force will keep an eye on their vehicles during the night which are parked at the Llandudno Sandy Bay parking area.

It is not clear what they were doing there, they seem to all have wet suits with them, and we believe that they embarked on their journey at 07h30 this morning Sunday, 03rd June but we will get more details from them in the morning.

They are not in any immediate danger.