A multi-agency rescue mission unfolded at Mount Longonot over the weekend after a tourist who slipped and fell into the crater was successfully retrieved following an overnight operation led by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The visitor, identified as Bildad Simiyu, had been hiking on Saturday when he lost his footing and plunged onto a rocky ledge deep inside the crater, leaving him stranded in a precarious position that required specialised extraction.
According to a statement by KWS, the fall placed the victim on a rock ledge that made it extremely difficult for rescuers to reach him safely.
Efforts to extract him immediately after the accident were hampered by the onset of darkness, which made the descent too risky.
KWS officers maintained constant communication with him, ensuring he remained responsive.
“As darkness fell and extraction became too risky, our KWS team stayed at the crater rim, kept talking to him, reassured him, and monitored his condition throughout the night,” the statement reads.
At dawn, KWS mobilised a full rescue team and brought in additional emergency responders.
The operation expanded to include the Kenya Red Cross, Nakuru Fire Brigade, Kenya Police, and medical personnel from ITARC Hospital.
Together, they meticulously plotted the descent into the crater, navigating steep, unstable sections of the terrain.
After several hours of deliberate and coordinated work, the rescuers reached Simiyu around mid-afternoon.
A short video posted online by the agency showed at least six members of the emergency team guiding the victim out of the crater.
In the footage, Simiyu is seen being carefully placed on a stretcher and roped securely to prevent any further falls during the ascent. The rescuers worked in sync, ensuring he remained stable as they negotiated the steep crater walls.
“After several hours of careful work, they reached him and safely brought him out at around 1500hrs,” the statement reveals.
The visitor, who is believed to have sustained a fracture to his left leg, was immediately assessed and transferred to Naivasha County Referral Hospital for treatment.
KWS confirmed that he is in stable condition and receiving appropriate medical care.
In its statement, KWS commended all officers and partner agencies involved in the mission, highlighting their dedication and professionalism under challenging circumstances.
“We thank all the officers and partner agencies involved for their teamwork, professionalism and dedication,” the service said.
Mount Longonot, a towering dormant volcano and one of Kenya’s most visited hiking destinations, features steep trails and narrow paths along the crater rim.
While the park attracts thousands of visitors annually, such rescue operations underline the risks associated with navigating rugged volcanic terrain.
by JAMES GICHIGI
