A Saturday morning hike on Lion’s Head turned into a daunting ordeal for a young woman on 15 November — until two Table Mountain National Park rangers stepped in with calm professionalism and extraordinary dedication.
SANParks Field Ranger Robby Van der Roos, a 13-year veteran of the park’s Safety Ranger division, was on routine patrol with his corporal ranger, Nigel Davids, when a man named John hurried towards them. His friend had injured her ankle further up the trail and could not descend on her own.
Van der Roos and Davids immediately switched into rescue mode. Guided by John, they climbed the mountain to locate the injured hiker, eventually reaching her just above the second chain section — a steep, rocky portion where many visitors struggle even without injuries.
“As Safety Rangers, our main responsibility is visitor safety, especially protecting local and international tourists,” Van der Roos explained. “We knew we had to get to her quickly.”
On arrival, the rangers assessed the situation. The hiker was in severe discomfort, unable to put weight on her ankle, and concerned about the difficulty of getting down before sunset.
Van der Roos offered a solution that most would find unthinkable given the terrain: he offered to carry her on his back all the way down the mountain.
After receiving her consent, he secured her safely, lifted her onto his back, and began the slow, carefully controlled descent down Lion’s Head — a symbolic reminder of the grit, training and commitment behind SANParks’ frontline teams.
At the base of the trail, mobile rangers were waiting to assist, ensuring the hiker received the care she needed. Thankfully, she did not require hospitalisation and was able to return home, self-treating her ankle.
The hiker, her friend, and several bystanders expressed deep gratitude for the rangers’ swift action and compassion. For Van der Roos and Davids, however, it was simply another day in service to public safety and environmental stewardship.
Beyond rescue work, Van der Roos also serves as an Environmental Management Inspector, tasked with protecting the natural heritage of Table Mountain National Park in accordance with the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act.
“We are here to keep people safe and protect the mountain,” he said. “I’m just glad everything ended well.”
The incident has since drawn admiration across social media, highlighting once again the invaluable role SANParks plays in safeguarding one of South Africa’s most beloved natural landmarks.
