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A helicopter assisting with a wildfire above Hout Bay crashed on Wednesday in Table Mountain National Park. The pilot is reportedly safe, according to a statement issued by SANParks.
"Earlier this evening, a helicopter operating at the fire site on the slopes of Hout Bay in Table Mountain National Park, was involved in an incident, prompting an emergency medical response and the activation of Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR). Investigations are underway to ascertain the details behind this incident. To that extent, SANParks is not able to offer additional comment on the matter at this stage."
Emergency teams, including Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR), SANParks, Kishugu Aviation, Netcare24, the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and Law Enforcement, are on site supporting operations.
SANParks will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
The helicopter was battling a fire that began on Tuesday and had spread across the slopes between Hout Bay and Constantia Nek, with flames reaching the top of Vlakkenberg mountain by Wednesday.
In a separate urgent update, SANParks confirmed that all hiking trails in the affected area, including routes from Constantia Nek and surrounding access points, have been closed with immediate effect. Members of the public are urged to stay clear to allow firefighting operations to continue safely.
Further updates are expected as both the fire and the helicopter crash investigation continue.
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