Stranded Overnight In Flooded Du Toitskloof, Stellenbosch Student Airlifted To Safety

What started as a simple hike through one of the Western Cape’s most scenic mountain routes quickly turned into a tense overnight survival story for a Stellenbosch University student.

A routine river crossing along the Elandspad River in Du Toitskloof became anything but ordinary after sudden heavy rains upstream triggered a flash flood, cutting one hiker off from the rest of their group.

A Familiar Route Turns Dangerous

The group of four had set out on Sunday, navigating a well-known trail. But as the weather worsened, they made the call to turn back.

By the time they reached a river crossing they had passed earlier, everything had changed. What was once manageable had transformed into a fast-moving, swollen torrent.

Three hikers managed to cross before conditions deteriorated further. With the water rising rapidly and becoming increasingly dangerous, they made the difficult decision not to attempt a return crossing to assist their friend. Instead, they climbed to higher ground to find cellphone signal and call for help.

On the opposite bank, their fellow hiker was left stranded as water levels climbed and daylight began to fade.

A Night Of Waiting In Harsh Conditions

As darkness settled over the mountains, rescue teams were already mobilising. Members of Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), along with CapeNature and SAPS search and rescue units, responded to the emergency.

But reaching the stranded student was not straightforward. Sections of the trail were underwater, and the river itself was too dangerous to cross. With visibility dropping and the current intensifying, rescuers had to hold back and reassess.

The student spent the night beside the river, facing cold temperatures and uncertainty as the storm-fed waters continued to surge.

Breakthrough At First Light

Relief finally came in the early hours of the morning. As the river level began to drop slightly, rescuers were able to deploy a rope system across the water.

Using this, they sent essential supplies to the stranded hiker, including warm clothing, food, hot drinks and a two-way radio. For the first time since being cut off, the student could communicate directly with rescuers.

According to WSAR spokesperson David Nel, this moment marked a turning point in the operation, stabilising the situation and providing reassurance that help was close.

Airlift To Safety

With conditions still too risky for a ground crossing, a rescue helicopter from the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS, working with the Air Mercy Service, was called in.

The student was secured in a harness and carefully airlifted from the riverbank to a landing zone at Du Kloof Lodge.

After the dramatic rescue, the hiker was taken for medical assessment and has since been discharged from hospital.

A Reminder Of The Western Cape’s Unpredictable Terrain

Incidents like this are not uncommon in the Western Cape’s mountain regions, especially during periods of heavy rain. Popular hiking routes around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and the Du Toitskloof pass can shift dramatically within hours when upstream rainfall feeds into narrow river systems.

Rescue officials say this case highlights just how quickly conditions can change and how easily a familiar route can become dangerous.

The advice is clear. If there has been recent rain, hikers should treat river crossings as unsafe and avoid taking risks. Turning back early may feel disappointing in the moment, but it can prevent situations from escalating into life-threatening emergencies.

In the mountains, the safest decision is often the simplest one.