By the time the first rescue lights pierced through the darkness along the Garden Route coastline, the weather had already turned against them. Driving rain, powerful coastal winds and dangerous cliff conditions forced emergency teams into one of the most challenging overnight rescue operations seen in the region this month, after a missing person case took a dramatic turn near George. And by sunrise, what began as a welfare concern had become a full-scale multi-agency search operation unfolding hundreds of metres above crashing surf.
A large-scale emergency search remained underway on Wednesday along the rugged cliffs of Voëlklip near George, after police and rescue teams discovered evidence that a vehicle had gone over one of the Garden Route’s most dangerous coastal lookout points.
The operation began late on Tuesday evening after a sixty-two-year-old man from Great Brak River failed to return home, prompting concerned family members to contact authorities when repeated attempts to reach him proved unsuccessful.
According to information released by police, a missing person report was officially opened shortly before eleven that evening, triggering an urgent search to retrace the man’s known movements across the region.
As investigators followed early leads, search teams were directed to the scenic Voëlklip lookout area between George and Herolds Bay, a location well known for its dramatic ocean views, steep cliff faces and rapidly changing weather conditions.
What crews discovered there quickly changed the nature of the operation.
Initial evidence suggested that a vehicle had gone over the cliff edge, immediately escalating the search from a missing person case to a highly technical rescue operation involving multiple emergency disciplines.
But reaching the scene proved far from straightforward.
By the time rescue teams arrived, strong winds, driving rain, reduced visibility and unstable ground conditions had already made access to the lower cliff sections extremely dangerous.
Several parts of the operation had to be delayed overnight as commanders assessed the risks of deploying personnel in darkness near unstable rock faces and powerful surf conditions below.
Only after first light were teams able to widen the operation.
By Wednesday morning, police divers, emergency medical teams, specialised search and rescue units, municipal fire crews and traffic officials had all been deployed to the area, working together to systematically search the rocky shoreline and inaccessible coastal ledges below.
Officials on scene say every movement has had to be carefully calculated, with slippery surfaces, loose rock and unpredictable wave action creating constant danger for rescuers working close to the cliff face.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the missing man has been located, and as of publication, the operation remains active.
Residents and sightseers have been urged to avoid the area while emergency teams continue their difficult search.
Important Emergency Contacts
SAPS Emergency: 10111
National Sea Rescue Institute: 087 094 9774
Western Cape EMS: 10177
George Fire and Rescue: 044 801 6300
As rescue teams continue working against time, weather and terrain, families across the Garden Route now wait for answers, hoping this dramatic search will soon bring closure.
Source: Cape Town Etc – Hope Makhoba.
