18 teens rescued from mountain
2008-06-16 14:50
Cape Town - Eighteen Western Cape teenagers were rescued from Table Mountain on Monday morning, the Table Mountain National Park said.
They had spent a night on the mountain after getting lost during a hike.
"They were hiking on the mountain in the Kasteelspoort area on Sunday and then got lost," said spokesperson Phumeza Mgxashe.
She said that they then alerted Wilderness Search and Rescue by cellphone, at 20:00.
"Wilderness Search and Rescue managed to get to them two hours later, and stayed with them through the night ... they could only be brought to safety at first light."
Mgxashe said after being stuck for 12 hours on the mountain, the 18 had a lucky escape as weather conditions were extremely cold and wet, and they had been stuck in a dangerous spot.
Table Mountain National Park is appealing to people to take note of changing weather conditions, before setting off for a hike on the mountain.
- SAPA