A kloofing expedition in the Kaaimans River canyon took a dangerous turn yesterday afternoon when two members of the group were injured, resulting in a challenging rescue operation led by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Wilderness.

According to Ian Gerber, duty coxswain for NSRI Wilderness, the team was activated at 17:54 after receiving a call from a member of the kloofing party.

George Herald reports that the group had been navigating the rugged river gorge, about 1.5km upstream from the N2 bridge near Map of Africa, when one man suffered a medical emergency and another sustained injuries from a fall.

NSRI Wilderness dispatched a rescue vehicle towing a JetRIB rescue craft and a floating stretcher. Western Cape Government Health EMS and George Fire and Rescue Services were also activated and responded to the scene.

A triage area was set up at the nearest accessible landmark, where emergency services awaited further developments. One injured man managed to hike downriver with the caller, who alerted emergency services, and was treated on-site by paramedics for injuries sustained in a fall.

Meanwhile, the NSRI crew, navigating difficult terrain in fading light, hiked, paddled, swam and kloofed their way upstream to reach the second patient.

The man, suffering from a medical condition and hypothermia, was stabilised by NSRI medics and secured in a floating stretcher.

A resident who encountered the caller, who was on his way to seek cellphone reception, assisted by providing hot water and dry towels.

Once the NSRI team reached the injured man, the kloofing group, now under their care, made the arduous journey back downriver. They navigated rocky stretches, swam, paddled and kloofed their way to the triage area, where both patients were handed over to paramedics.

Further medical treatment was provided before they were transported to hospital in stable condition.

The rescue operation was successfully concluded at 20:56.

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