Western Cape Conservation Manager Rescued From Mountain Slope After Serious Injury

• Evan, conservation manager at Haumanskloof Nature Reserve, was badly injured while photographing succulents on a steep mountain slope
• With no trail and fading light, a team of medics and reserve staff carried him down on a stretcher through thick fynbos and rocky terrain
• A video of the dramatic nighttime rescue, shared on 28 August 2026, moved people across South Africa

A conservation manager at Haumanskloof Nature Reserve in the Western Cape was seriously injured on a remote mountain slope during what began as a routine outing to photograph succulents. The reserve shared footage of the rescue on Instagram on 28 August 2026, and the response was overwhelming.

Evan, identified as a brother figure and conservation manager to those at Haumanskloof, was deep in the field when the accident happened. The team was in town when the call came through. Getting to him was not straightforward. There was no trail leading to where he lay, just dense, thick acacia thorn trees covering steep, rocky ground.

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One medic had already made it up to Evan by the time the rest of the team arrived. Together, they mapped out the safest route to carry a stretcher up to him. Once they reached him, they stabilised him with the help of his partner and the medic and got him loaded onto the stretcher.

A race against fading light

A helicopter rescue had been considered, but the light was disappearing fast. The decision was made to carry him down on foot. Four people held the stretcher level, navigating rocks and thick bush in the growing dark, while others cleared the path ahead and carried medical equipment. Every step was taken with one priority: not to cause further injury to Evan or anyone else in the group.

By the time they neared the main road, night had fully fallen. An ER24 ambulance was waiting.

The video closes on a much lighter note. The following day, someone brought doughnuts to Evan in hospital. He gave a thumbs up to the camera, already looking like himself again.

Watch the mountain rescue that left South Africa in awe here.

Mzansi responds to the rescue

Viewers flooded the comments section on the Instagram page with relief and admiration:

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@62hachi wrote:

"Love you all so very much. What a horrible freak happening; So grateful that Evan is alive and has all his limbs intact, albeit a broken-up and beaten body. Sending cheery wishes for a full recovery..."

@joheinvisser said:

"Was a privilege to help, and we will definitely see you guys soon again this time for a cup of tea and not a rescue."

@jordanroake commented:

"How terrifying! You all look so calm and measured, and he's lucky to have a family like ya'll."

@lesdowns wrote:

"How hectic. Glad he is safe and healing."

@rochie_b3 added:

"Hectic, that's so scary. So happy he's ok!"

@sharonforsyth6 said:

"Oh my words, Chants, that is scary! I hope your brother-in-law is now on the mend."

More on scary situations

• Briefly News reported on Gift of the Givers revealing the identities of six South Africans missing after catastrophic floods in Nepal as an 11-member rescue team remained on standby.
• A South African man sparked concern after attempting to move a puff adder from a roadside using his bare hands in a dangerous encounter that left viewers stunned.
• Terricia Govender’s mother refused to give up hope after her daughter disappeared in Nepal, with the family revealing a heartbreaking detail about her last known moments.

Source: Briefly News