A helicopter operated by Working on Fire crashed in Table Mountain Park in Hout Bay while battling a blaze, but the pilot survived with minor injuries.
Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services called in aerial support to combat a fire that ignited on Tuesday in Hout Bay and spread overnight to the mountain ridge towards Klein Constantia. Fire spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said several flare-ups had been spotted, fanned by winds, and helicopters were resuming waterbombing to support ground crews from City Fire Services, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), and NCC. No property was reported at risk, Carelse added. During these efforts, a helicopter operated by Working on Fire crashed in Table Mountain Park in Hout Bay. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft and was taken to hospital for observation, sustaining only minor injuries. Trevor Abrahams, Managing Director of Working on Fire, stated: “The pilot was able to exit from the helicopter, and he was picked up and moved to the hospital for observation. Fortunately, the pilot received only minor injuries.” Abrahams noted it was too early to determine the cause and that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had been informed and would lead the investigation.
