Johannesburg - People should not be deceived into thinking that because they live in a residential area, there are no dangers in standing on top of steep cliffs in Joburg’s vantage points.
This is the message of the Mountain Club of South Africa Search and Rescue, which was tasked with recovering the body of a 21-year-old woman who allegedly slipped off the top of Northcliff Hill on Saturday night and died instantly.
“Northcliff Hill is very high and presents much of the same dangers that bigger mountains do in the way of dangerous drop-offs, and loose and unpredictable boulders that could dislodge. Even a small mishap can have severe consequences,” said Dean van der Merwe, spokesman for the group.
The Mountain Club was called just after 7pm when paramedics found there was nothing more they could do for the woman.
“We don’t generally work in urban areas, but we got seven volunteers out. The terrain is difficult and we were glad we were able to assist,” he said.
The woman’s body was laid on a stretcher and she was lifted horizontally up the side of the cliff using ropes. The mission was completed around midnight.
The club is a voluntary organisation comprising paramedics, climbers and other professionals. The team specialises in wilderness rescue and regularly trains and works with the South African Air Force and other rescue and emergency organisations, among them the police, the Off Road Rescue Unit and the K9 Search and Rescue Association.
“We would like to express our condolences to her family and friends and make an appeal to the public to take extra special care,” Van der Merwe said.
The woman, who has not been named, was allegedly standing on a rock to enjoy the view when it gave way, sending her plunging about 20m off the steep cliff.
Paramedics soon arrived on the scene to assist.
Cheyenne Davis, of Emer-G-Med Ambulance Service, was one of the first there.
“Some paramedics went down to try to assist her, but it was too late. She had multiple injuries from the fall,” she said.
People from neighbouring houses gathered around the scene, forming prayer chains for her, she said. “It was very sad to see such a tragedy.”
Netcare 911’s media liaison officer, Santi Steinmann, said details of the incident and preceding events were unknown and police would investigate.
The Star