Extensive search under way for missing Cape Town hiker

Alistair Stanbull was last seen by his wife on Monday. (Supplied /Western Cape police)

• A Cape Town hiker is missing.
• Alistair Stanbull was last seen by his wife on Monday.
• A number of search teams and the police are looking for the hiker.

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Alistair Stanbull, a Cape Town hiker, disappeared on Monday.

The Western Cape police’s K9 Unit, SANParks, Fire and Rescue Services, various drone teams, City of Cape Town law enforcement agencies and multiple search teams are all looking for Stanbull.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said Stanbull was last seen by his wife on Monday.

“Alistair told his wife that he was going for a hike and left his premises in Steenberg, but never returned. His vehicle was found on Ou Kaapse Weg on Tuesday morning,” said Twigg.

According to the police, the search for the missing man began after he was reported missing by his wife.

Twigg said that, at the time of Stanbull’s disappearance, he was wearing a grey, long-sleeved T-shirt and khaki hiking pants.

On Friday morning, the mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said a coordinated search for Stanbull had begun along the Silvermine hiking trails.

Extensive searches

Stanbull’s vehicle, a Renault Kwid, was found in the parking area of ​​the Silvermine reserve.

“Today (Friday), the provincial Search and Rescue launched an extensive search of the area and requested the city’s assistance,” Smith said.

The city deployed hundreds of staff, comprising search teams, accompanied by members of SANParks, Table Mountain National Parks, and Wilderness Search and Rescue.

“In the instance of any discovery, we knew it (was) essential to protect any potential crime scene and to prevent any form of evidence from becoming contaminated.

“Our drone teams worked along with our provincial EMS Drone teams, where all efforts were properly coordinated and documented on-site, from our Disaster Risk Management mobile Joint Operations Centre,” said Smith.

According to Smith, by 14:00, teams had covered all hiking trails, the dam area, and all surrounding terrain.

“So far, no sign has been found, and the search continues,” he said.

“The search was thoroughly performed, the area (was) searched, using the grid methodology, and everything was recorded in detail.

“While we are still searching for the missing person, today was a good example (of) what can be achieved if we respect the legal process and if all agencies work together.”