A man’s body was airlifted off Lion’s Head on Monday, June 20 – a day after he was declared dead -because rescuers could not get to him due to a fire on the mountain.
On Monday morning, the AMS Skymed helicopter retrieved the body of the man who is alleged to have fallen at the same time and place where the fire broke out on Sunday evening. Johan Marais, spokesperson for Wilderness Search and Rescue, confirmed the incident, saying a body was discovered on Sunday night and he was declared deceased. But due to the fire rescue operations were impossible.
“However, due to safety concerns and possibly flare-ups of the fire, was only was only retrieved the next morning by helicopter,” he said.
Hikers who were in the vicinity said the man took off his shirt and shoes, and jumped off the ledge. They didn’t want to speculate further about the incident.
“We can confirm that the body of a 53-year-old male was recovered on Lion’s Head [on Monday] morning. The body of the deceased was airlifted by a helicopter from the slopes of the mountain,” said Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, police spokesperson.
An inquest into his death is underway.
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