TOUCHDOWN: Wilderness Search and Rescue members tend to Louie Choonoo, who had to be airlifted off Table Mountain. He spent the night out in the open after falling and injuring his ankle the day before.
COLD, injured, surrounded by mist, lying on the rocky ground in the dark and unable to walk to safety This is how Louie Choonoo, 25, of Mitchells Plain, spent a night on Table Mountain after falling and hurting his ankle on Tuesday And rescuers say it is the second time he has got stuck on the mountain overnight and had needed their help.
Choonoo, who appears not to have any hiking experience, yesterday had to be airlifted off Africa Ravine after he fell while walking on the mountain the day before. It is not clear how far he fell.
When he was brought to the bottom of the mountain yesterday, he was wearing a grey anorak, jeans and takkies and did not appear to have any water, food or warmer clothes with him.
Kevin Tromp, a Wilderness Search and Rescue member who helped organise the operation, said the man had been on the mountain "all night" in cold conditions and had been spotted by workers from the Cable Car Company in the morning. "He wasn't moving at that stage ... he later appeared to wave," he said.
The Metro Red Cross Air Mercy Service helicopter, which operates at R18 000 an hour dropped a team of rescuers near Choonoo and they hiked to him to determine the extent of his injuries.
Afterwards, Choonoo, dangling from the helicopter with a rescuer was airlifted to the base of the mountain.
Tromp said Choonoo had been "totally unprepared" for a hike. He said three months ago rescuers also had to airlift him off Lions Head. "He had the same injuries ... he's not a hiker" Tromp warned mountain users not to hike alone and to always let someone else know where they were going, and what time they were expected to return. "And after the rains, rather walk on well-defined foot paths. Also wear bright clothing so you can be easily spotted," Tromp said.
Article: Cape Times
Date: 18 June 2009
Journalist: Caryn Dollie
