Man dies after mountain fall

2006-03-19 22:27

Eduan Maggo

Cape Town - A climber lost his life on Table Mountain on Sunday after an expedition went badly wrong.

Nicholas Abbott and Timothy Cromby, both in their early twenties, were ascending the second waterfall ravine on Duiwelskloof.

Abbott slipped and plunged about 50m to the bottom of the waterfall.

He was seriously injured and later died.

Kevin Tromp, rescue organiser for Wilderness Search and Rescue, said the two men were climbing up a "steep waterfall with loose earth".

The waterfall was dry and the men were about halfway to the top when Abbott slipped and fell.

Abbott, a musician from Constantia, apparently lost his footing, slipped and "fell and rolled" to the bottom of the waterfall.

Tromp said: "They were not equipped with ropes, mountaineering equipment or helmets."

Had extensive injuries

The accident happened about 09:45. A Metro Red Cross rescue helicopter was sent out, as well as two members of Wilderness Search and Rescue.

Tromp said: "Abbott was stabilised as best as possible on the mountain before being airlifted to Vincent Pallotti Hospital.

According to Tromp, Abbott had "extensive life-threatening injuries, among them to his head and hips".

Cromby was trapped on the cliff face. Two climbers helped him to reach a ridge, from where he was also airlifted to safety by helicopter.

Tromp said this was the second time Cromby had been rescued.

"A year ago, he got lost in a cave in the Kalk Bay Mountains and rescue teams were called out."

Dave Cromby, Timothy's father, said on Sunday the two climbers had been wearing "normal hiking equipment".

He said they "had hiking boots and backpacks".

'Were not prepared for the waterfall'

Tromp said the accident had reminded him of another fatal one.

"Eight years ago, four members of a family, two of them children aged nine and 15, slipped in almost the same place and fell to their deaths.

Referring to Sunday's accident, he said: "The two young adventurers were not prepared for the waterfall. They were not experienced enough for it."

- Die Burger