1 Tragic Death on Le Morne Forces Reassessment of Hiking Safety

A German tourist in his twenties tragically died on Monday, August 11, after falling from the summit of Le Morne mountain, prompting a stark warning from a prominent local hiking expert about the critical importance of preparation and safety in the mountains. The incident has deeply saddened the hiking community.

The young man was with two friends at the peak when he fell. He was airlifted by the Special Operations Division of the fire service to Nehru Hospital in Rose-Belle but succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

“Fail to Plan is Plan to Fail”

Following the tragedy, Jayesh Lootooa, also known as Jah, founder of the “Hike avec Jah” platform, emphasised that mountain safety ultimately rests with the individual hiker.

Jayesh, a passionate climber from Crève-Cœur with extensive experience in Mauritian expeditions since 2015, underscored his mantra: “Fail to plan is plan to fail.”

Jayesh stressed that the first step before any hike is to ensure one’s health and fitness. Novice hikers should begin with less challenging peaks to build endurance and confidence before attempting demanding climbs like Le Morne. Crucially, mental preparation is also vital for managing vertigo or unexpected situations.

Ideally, hikers should be accompanied by a guide or someone familiar with the route. In the event of an injured or unconscious hiker, they should be moved to shade, placed in a safe position, and emergency services immediately contacted.

Jayesh also encouraged pre-trip research, particularly through online hiking communities. For him, the key to a successful outing is simple: without preparation, the risk of failure – or accident – increases considerably.

Source: l’Express