Stranded for a Week
A Miracle Rescue

Thabazimbi/ Potgietersrus – It was a race against time. A desperate search that stretched over days. And when hope was beginning to fade, a miracle happened.

On Sunday, 16 March 2025, a rescue mission was launched at Skilpadberg, near Potgietersrus, after a chilling call for help was heard. A 63-year-old man had been missing for a full week, lost on the treacherous mountain, his strength fading with each passing day.

A cry in the wilderness
The man had disappeared on Sunday, 9 March, prompting a frantic search by SAPS and concerned local residents. Days passed without a trace — until Sunday 16 March, when locals collecting firewood at the foot of the mountain heard something that made their hearts stop: a faint voice calling for help. Immediately, emergency services were alerted, and the massive rescue operation was set into motion.

A battle against time and terrain
At 13:09, the call reached the Thaba Fire & Rescue (TFR) team. Within 30 minutes, three TFR units, along with Wildmed Emergency Services and their specialised equipment, were packed and ready to go. They departed from Thabazimbi at 14:00 before arriving at the scene at 15:55.

There was no road to reach him. Rescuers had to climb three gruelling kilometres up the mountain, carrying their gear and supplies. Every step was a struggle against rough terrain, but they pressed on. They had to.

A life saved
At 18:12, the man was finally brought down from the mountain and handed over to EMS Waterberg for transport to the hospital. Against all odds, he survived! Though severely dehydrated and suffering from minor injuries, his spirit remained unbroken. After a full week alone on the mountain — hungry, exhausted, and clinging to life — he was finally safe.

Heroes of the mountain
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and teamwork of multiple rescue units. Thaba Fire & Rescue, Wildmed Emergency Services, Mogalakwena Search and Rescue, Waterberg Search and Rescue, EMS Waterberg, and SAPS all played crucial roles in ensuring the success of this mission.

Pierre Loots, CEO of Thaba Fire and Rescue, expressed his gratitude: “This rescue was a testament to the incredible teamwork and perseverance of every person involved. When lives are at stake, we will always go above and beyond to bring them home.”

A special thanks to Skeerpoort Verspreiders for their generous fuel donation, ensuring the mission had the resources to bring this man home.

A reminder of community strength
This story is more than just a rescue — it’s a testament to the power of community. When one of their own was in trouble, an entire network of heroes came together, fighting against the odds to save a life.

For the man who spent seven days alone on the mountain, and for the rescuers who refused to leave him behind, this was nothing short of a miracle.

Main photo: TEAMWORK TO SAVE A LIFE… Emergency responders joining forces, proving that together, anything is possible.