A public holiday outing on Table Mountain ended tragically for two young men on Monday when one of them fell up to 40 metres to his death and the other one had to be rescued with a helicopter.
Mark Roux, from Claremont and his American friend Henry Herman from Chicago, Illinois, went walking on the India Venster trail on Monday morning when Roux fell to his death.
The two men had decided to veer off the track and to climb up against the mountain said police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk on Monday.
“The deceased slipped and fell to his death. He died on the scene due to multiple injuries.”
According to Kevin Tromp of Wilderness Search and Rescue, Roux fell about 40m.
Left footpath
“The two men for some or other reason decided to leave the footpath and started climbing up against the mountain. They got about 40m before one of them slipped and fell.”
Tromp said the deceased was wearing hiking shoes while his friend was wearing flip-flops.
“The friend, who was trapped on a ledge and couldn’t get up or down, was first taken to safety with a Skymed helicopter. Afterwards the helicopter went back to remove the body.”
Table Mountain National Park spokesperson Merle Collins on Monday described the incident as a tragedy.
“We suspect the two got lost or deviated from the path, but that has not yet been confirmed.”
The India Venster route is known as one of the most dangerous walking trails on the mountain. Several people have died on or near the route over the years.
Precautions
Collins emphasised, however, that none of Table Mountain’s hiking routes were dangerous if people stayed on the trail.
Collins said people should take the necessary precautions when they hike on the mountain.
“Hikers should ensure they are wearing the right clothes and shoes when they go hiking. Enough water and an emergency number, should you get into trouble, are also essential.”
“If you stay on the trails, it is very easy.”
– Collins also said a 42-year-old American tourist fell on the first ladder on Lion’s Head on Saturday. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries. His condition was stable.
[Story by Kobus Pretorius appeared in Die Burger]