Body of missing hiker Wayne Barnard found on Table Mountain
· The South African
The body of an adult man believed to be missing Table Mountain hiker Wayne Barnard has been found following an extensive search operation.
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Western Cape Police confirmed that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) located the body on Thursday, 17 September.
Barnard, 46, had been reported missing after setting out to hike alone on Table Mountain.
A missing person’s case was opened at Cape Town Central SAPS on Wednesday, prompting the activation of police and search-and-rescue teams.
Police Captain F.C. van Wyk confirmed that members of SAPS and WSAR were deployed to search for the missing hiker.
Last contact on Wednesday
Barnard was last known to have made contact at around 11:05 on Wednesday.
He reportedly shared his location and a photograph from Table Mountain before his cellphone went off or became unreachable.
Concern for his safety grew after he could no longer be contacted, leading to the search operation.
A family friend, Brenda Austen Keichel, subsequently shared the tragic news on Facebook, confirming that Barnard had been found but had died.
She also said the search had officially been called off.
Keichel thanked everyone who had assisted with the search effort and appealed for privacy for Barnard’s family as they come to terms with the loss.
Police have not yet released further details surrounding the circumstances of Barnard’s death.
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