An 18-year-old Russian tourist endured a harrowing night in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve after heavy rainfall trapped him on the Panorama Circuit Trail, Cape town Etc reports.
The teen, who had researched hiking routes in Cape Town online, set out alone on Thursday morning but was unprepared for the sudden storm that transformed the trail into a dangerous, waterlogged obstacle.
By late afternoon, rising waters blocked his path, forcing him to turn back. With his phone battery dying, he managed to send a final message to a friend at around 4pm, stating he was in trouble before losing contact. Stranded without shelter, he spent the night huddled among rocks, battling cold and wet conditions.
Massive rescue effort launchedWhen the alarm was raised on Friday morning, Wilderness Search and Rescue WSAR mobilised over 20 volunteers and professionals, including CapeNature personnel. Using the last known GPS coordinates from his phone, teams scoured the area.
At 2:44pm, the hiker was found near the reserve entrance. He had begun walking back at first light. Paramedics treated him for hypothermia before transporting him to the hospital. The operation concluded by 4:28pm.