Tragic base-jumping accident claims life on Table Mountain
A base jumper was found dead on Table Mountain following a multi-agency search and rescue operation, with Wilderness Search And Rescue confirming the recovery and expressing condolences to the deceased’s family.
Image: File/ David D'Aguiar/ WSAR
A person tragically lost their life while base-jumping from Table Mountain on Monday, as confirmed by Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) following a multi-agency search operation, the Cape Argus reported.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the extreme sports community, shedding light on the inherent dangers associated with aerial sports in the region.
Emergency services were mobilised after reports surfaced of a base jumper who had fallen. WSAR, along with several other rescue teams, undertook an extensive search effort across the rugged terrain of Table Mountain. After a challenging and coordinated operation, rescuers located the individual, only to confirm their death at the scene.
The deceased was subsequently airlifted by helicopter and transferred to the South African Police Service (SAPS), who will lead the investigation into this incident.
WSAR spokesperson David Nel expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, while also commending the dedication of the rescue teams and volunteers involved, noting the extraordinarily demanding nature of the recovery operation.
"No further details are available at this time," Nel stated.
This tragic event is part of a concerning trend; just three weeks ago, an Austrian paraglider needed rescuing after crashing into Lions Head during hazardous conditions. That incident reinforced the significant risks extreme sports enthusiasts encounter on Cape Town’s iconic cliffs and slopes. Thankfully, the paragliding accident concluded successfully with the individual rescued, but calls for increased safety measures in the area became louder.
Additionally, last November saw a fatal paragliding crash on the same mountain involving the pioneering wingsuit flyer Jean-Jacques "JJ" Wallis. The 36-year-old experienced pilot was flying a high-performance Flare Moustache wing, a model which has now been embroiled in two fatal accidents in two years. This prompted the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA) to assess launch and landing protocols for safety improvement.
SAHPA chairperson Louis Stanford commented on the tragedy, stating, “The pilot was a 36-year-old South African male”. The rescue operation for Wallis, involving over 30 rescuers, saw WSAR employing drones to illuminate the steep slope as darkness approached, underscoring the escalating dangers faced by aerial sport practitioners.
Historical data from WSAR reveals that Table Mountain and Lions Head have been the sites of 43 incidents over the past 25 years, with about eight occurring in the last year alone. As authorities work to notify next of kin and continue their investigation, the community is left to mourn the loss while reflecting on the precarious nature of extreme sports in the stunning but perilous landscapes of Cape Town.
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