Extensive search operation leads to rescue
A 61-year-old man who had been missing for more than a week in the mountains near Prince Alfred Hamlet has been found alive following an extensive multi-agency search operation in the Western Cape.
Patrick Xhibu was reported missing by his wife at the Prince Alfred Hamlet police station on Sunday, 12 May 2024, sparking a large-scale search effort across the rugged mountainous terrain surrounding the town.
Members of the Prince Alfred Hamlet Crime Prevention Unit joined forces with local detectives and the police Air Wing to comb the mountains on foot, as the remote and difficult landscape made vehicle access impossible.
"Their efforts paid off this morning when he was found on the mountain."
After eight gruelling days of searching, the joint operation finally located Xhibu in the mountains. He was discovered suffering from severe dehydration and hunger but was alive. Emergency services airlifted him to a nearby hospital where he received medical treatment.
Authorities praise rescue team efforts
Western Cape police management expressed their appreciation for all the role-players who contributed to the successful search and rescue mission, which ultimately led to Xhibu being reunited with his family.
The operation highlighted the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement units working together under challenging conditions. The mountainous terrain around Prince Alfred Hamlet posed significant logistical difficulties, requiring search teams to navigate the area entirely on foot over the course of more than a week.
Xhibu's recovery brings relief to his loved ones, who had endured an agonising wait since his disappearance was first reported. His condition is being monitored by medical professionals following the ordeal in the wilderness.
