A combined team of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) guides and officials this week successfully rescued a Dutch tourist, Peter Van Oene 51, who slipped and fell into a mountain crevice as he descended from the Magherita peak in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Mr. Oene began climbing the mountain on 3^rd June 2010 in the company of another Dutch, Frans Van Den Aardweg and a mountain guide. On 7^th June 2010, they reached the Margherita peak to their utter delight, shortly after which they began descending to the huts. As they climbed down however, Mr. Oene slipped and fell into a mountain crevice and in the process also caused the guide and his countryman to fall.

The guide quickly utilized his mountaineering skills and rushed down the mountain where he mobilized help from other guides and tourists. These were able to pull Mr. Oene out of the crevice, and by the time the rescue team from the mountain base reached the top the following morning, he was safely out of danger. The rescue team included several porters, guides and first aid staff.

Mr. Oene had to be carried because he had suffered a compound fracture in his left leg. Due to the difficult terrain and very bad weather, it took the rescue team four days to return to the mountain base at Nyakalengijo. Climbing down the mountain was quite difficult because the ground was slippery due to heavy rainfall.

On Friday, Mr. Oene was flown from Kasese to Kampala by AAR from where he is receiving treatment.

The Chief Conservation Area Manager at Uganda Wildlife Authority, Mr. John Makombo explained that warm temperatures caused by climate change have affected the snowline in the Rwenzori Mountains but he pointed out that UWA is working incessantly to ensure that all the mountain peaks continue to be accessible and mountain climbers are safe.