“Show Off Those Legs”: Cape Town Ranger Rescues Injured Elderly Hiker on Lion’s Head

• A Table Mountain ranger carried a 70-year-old hiker down after she sprained her ankle
• Field Ranger Robbie Van Der Ross responded quickly to the rescue call and offered to piggyback the woman down the trail
• South Africans flooded the comment section with praise for the ranger's kindness

Facebook page @TableMountainNP shared photos on 15 November 2025 of a Field Ranger named Robbie Van Der Ross who showed off his superhero powers after coming to the rescue of a 70-year-old woman. The elderly woman injured herself while hiking Lion's Head in Cape Town. The ranger and Ranger Corporal responded to a rescue call from a visitor on Signal Hill Drive after the elderly hiker strained her left ankle while coming down the Lion's Head trail. Van Der Ross didn't waste time and immediately offered to carry the woman on his back, making sure she got down the mountain safely.

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The three photos shared show the ranger carrying the woman piggyback style down the trail. In the pictures, you can see the hiker was wearing proper hiking gear, including boots and clothing perfect for the mountain. However, accidents can happen to anyone on the trail, and it's more common for older hikers to sprain their ankles if they miss a step or put their foot down wrong. The final photo shows the woman sitting on a rock with Van Der Ross standing beside her, making sure she was okay.

The post went viral, with people praising the ranger for his kindness and quick thinking. Many commented on how lucky the hiker was to have someone like Van Der Ross there to help her when she needed it most.

Mzansi reacts to the Lion's Head rescue

@robyngwilt gushed:

"Best legs I've seen this Sunday! Well done on your kindness, Sir!"

@cherylbroom wrote:

"Wow, you are a champ. Thank you for helping this lady."

@debbiemcalpinemitchell said:

"Awesome, very lucky hiker to be rescued by Robbie."

@michellewardbarendse added:

"Wow, what a beautiful person! Blessings!"

@hugovaughan shared:

"Awesome stuff!"

@irenedevilliers commented:

"Well done, Robbie."

How to hike safely

According to experts at Curls en Route discussing the ultimate tips to stay safe while hiking, it's important to research your trail in advance and understand the terrain. They recommend checking the trail's difficulty level and how high up it is to make sure it matches your fitness level, as well as reading recent reviews online for any updates on conditions or potential hazards.

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Wearing appropriate gear is also key, including sturdy hiking boots that have been broken in before any big hike to avoid blisters. Experts also suggest packing a first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, and any personal medication, as well as bringing extra food and water.

View the Facebook photos below:

More experiences related to Table Mountain

• Briefly News recently reported on a Cape Town travel guide who found abandoned houses on top of Table Mountain.
• A honeymoon hike on Lion's Head turned into a challenge for visiting newlyweds when they needed urgent help.
• A Cape Town gent set up his camera to try and spot the rare Southern Lights as a geomagnetic storm swept over Cape Town.

Source: Briefly News