A series of critical wilderness rescues unfolded across Cape Town's Helderberg Nature Reserve and Table Mountain on Tuesday night, highlighting the dangers of hiking in remote areas.

An unconscious hiker was found after severe hypothermia risk, while two Filipino tourists and two American hikers were safely evacuated after missing the final cable car.

Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) teams, SANParks rangers, and emergency services collaborated to save the lives of the hikers, using thermal drones and specialized equipment.The incident underscores the importance of preparedness and awareness when venturing into natural reserves.WSAR spokesperson David Nel warned against solo hiking and emphasized the need to inform others of one's whereabouts.The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will undergo maintenance from July 27 to August 9, adding urgency to the advice.These rescues exemplify the challenges faced by emergency services in mountainous terrain and the critical role of coordination between agencies.