Local doctor rescued from bush trail after 32 hours missing
The most thanks we owe is to our family for alerting the search parties
AMANZIMTOTI doctor, Cor van Rensburg and a pastor friend from Port Edward – both aged 66 – were found by rescue teams after losing their way while hiking on an Umtamvuna Nature Reserve trail in Port Edward late on Sunday afternoon, 19 February.
The two men set off just after 8am on Saturday morning but by 5pm family members began to worry as they had yet to hear from the men.
“Pastor Wille Henning and I set out on the Nkonka trail, a strenuous 12km hike which usually takes eight hours, only equipped with plastic ponchos and a light lunch. We had no idea what we were in for,” said the Ipahla Road based doctor.
Both very experienced hikers, it was the pair’s first attempt at Umtamvuna Nature Reserve trail. Hiking parallel to the Bulolo River for the majority of the hike, they stopped off half way where that river joined the wider Mtamvuna River, for a swim. After cooling off the men attempted to make their way back, which would entail looping back to the same place they had started.
“The water of the Bulolo River was extremely low, which confused us and we tried to navigate our way back to the trail following the Mtamvuna River, which we mistook for the Bulolo River,” explained Dr van Rensburg. For five hours the men searched for their trail and when the weather started to change, they decided to sleep next to the river that night and continue navigating in the morning.
When morning broke, the men continued to follow the Mtamvuna River, assuming they’d locate their pathway sooner or later. However, by noon on Sunday they were hungry, tired and worried about their families back home, with whom they had not been able to contact.
“I worried about my family and my patients that were expecting me on Monday morning,” said the doctor.
Rainy conditions made it increasingly difficult to orientate themselves in the gorge and with only thick foliage ahead, they realised they shouldn’t venture further but rather decided to wait at a large rock beside the river.
“At 11am Sunday, Wille’s cellphone managed to get signal and he made contact with his wife, who in turn contacted Cor’s family and alerted police and rescue parties were assembled,” said Cor.
By 4;30 that afternoon the hikers were located, rescued and besides being a little hungry, were in the perfect health.
Both hikers thank Dean Riley and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), GB Med Security, SAPS K9 rescue, the search team of 90 people, local farmers, Glen Preston and the Medevac ambulance, Johan Muller’s specialised rescue unit (Ballito) and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Park rangers who pulled together to bring the men home. They’re grateful to Peter Brereton and the Port Edward Ratepayers team for supplying food and drink to all searchers over the weekend.
“The most thanks we owe is to our family for alerting the search parties,” said Cor.
“You may think you’re going on a hike for just a day, but be prepared for longer. You never know what situation even the most experienced of us can find ourselves in,” advised Dr van Rensburg.
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