Cape Town – Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) teams carried out two separate rescues on Lion’s Head on Friday, including the evacuation of an injured paraglider and the assistance of a distressed hiker, amid concerns over a recent spike in paragliding incidents on the mountain.
Earlier in the day, WSAR responded to the Kloof Nek landing zone after a 57-year-old paraglider crashed on the slopes below the Lion’s Head parking area.
According to Arrive Alive, “WSAR teams responded to the Kloof Nek landing zone after a 57-year-old paraglider crashed on the slopes below the Lion’s Head parking area.”
The incident is the third paragliding crash on Lion’s Head since 25 November. “This marks the third paragliding incident on Lion’s Head since 25 November,”
Arrive Alive said, referencing the fatal crash that claimed the life of world-renowned South African extreme sports athlete and aviator Jean-Jacques Wallis late last year. A foreign paraglider also survived a crash on 8 December and is currently recovering in hospital.
A member of Global Medical Safety & Risk Solutions, who is also an active WSAR volunteer, witnessed Friday’s crash and immediately went to assist.
Back-to-Back Rescues on Lion’s Headhttps://t.co/xjp6xme9ND#ArriveAlive #Paragliding #HikingSafety @WSARWesternCape pic.twitter.com/0uKFftK9sd
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 2, 2026
“Together with City of Cape Town Law Enforcement, SANParks – Table Mountain National Park rangers, Life Healthcare, and Taurus Medical Film and Sports Medics, he hiked up to the fallen pilot to provide assistance,” Arrive Alive said.
City of Cape Town Traffic Services managed traffic in the area while the rescue was underway.
Paramedics assessed the pilot at the scene and determined that his injuries required urgent medical care.
“The Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS / Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter was deployed to safely hoist him from the slope,” the statement said.
The injured paraglider was flown to a nearby landing zone before being transported by ambulance to hospital. Rescue teams worked against the clock as weather conditions worsened, with “the incident concluded at 14h16,” according to Arrive Alive.
Shortly afterwards, WSAR teams were deployed again on Lion’s Head to assist a 25-year-old hiker from Gauteng who had become lightheaded and was unable to descend safely.
“Rescuers quickly made their way to the hiker, provided food and water, and carefully assisted him back down the trail,” Arrive Alive said.
The second rescue operation was concluded at 16h35.
WSAR thanked all agencies involved “for their swift coordination in both incidents,” and said it wished “both patients a full and speedy recovery.”
Authorities have again urged members of the public to save the mountain emergency number, 021 937 0300, and to exercise caution when hiking or paragliding, particularly as weather conditions can change rapidly.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
