CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – Tragedy struck when an American woman, during a hiking expedition on Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, lost her life, with local authorities confirming recovery of her body on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Brook Cheuvront, a 20-year-old student hailing from North Carolina.
Cheuvront was reported missing this Saturday after her tracking app ceased updating. All attempts to contact her were in vain, according to SANParks spokesman JP Louw.
SANParks, the governing body responsible for Table Mountain among other national parks, remains unclear on the exact circumstances of the death. An official investigation has been launched in order to uncover the truth.
After receiving the missing report, the rangers, wilderness rescue teams, and trail runners carried out an immediate search operation that lasted until Saturday night. Louw shared that the search was discontinued when it was deemed impractical. The search resumed the next day with aerial support, which aided in locating the body.
In light of the incident, South African authorities have issued a cautionary advisory to people against solo hiking. They recommend hiking in groups of at least four members.