Hiker's body recovered after being swept off bridge near Robertson

A woman died after being swept off a bridge at the weekend when a swollen river forced her hiking party to backtrack on a steep trail in the Western Cape.

The group of 15 hikers set off on the challenging trail outside Robertson early on Saturday, aiming to reach Arangieskop Hut.

However, it had been raining overnight.

“After walking for 1km they crossed a cattle grid bridge over a river and continued up the trail,” said Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR).

“Approximately 5km into the hike the group encountered a swollen river and decided to turn around and walk back down. While trying to cross back over the cattle grid bridge, a 31-year-old hiker was swept from the crossing.”

One of the hikers ran back up the trail searching for cellphone reception to summon help while the others searched along the river bank.

A rescue team arrived and set up a rope system across the river while the provincial EMS drone unit conducted an aerial search.

“Her body was located with the help of the drone and recovered by a team in a small inflatable boat, before being handed over to SAPS on scene. The stranded hikers were able to cross the river at 4pm once the water had subsided,” said WSAR.

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