Tragic Death of UNC Student on Table Mountain Sparks Safety Concerns for Hikers in South Africa

The tragic incident involving a University of North Carolina student on an internship in South Africa has taken a heartbreaking turn. The student, identified as Brook Cheuvront, 20, of Newland, North Carolina, was reported missing during a hike on Table Mountain in Cape Town. Authorities revealed on Monday that her body had been discovered after a frantic search following her disappearance.

American student who went missing during hike, found dead

Brook Cheuvront, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of North Carolina, was on an internship at the University of Cape Town. She was deeply involved in her academic pursuits and was recognized as a Morehead-Cain Scholar. Cheuvront was also the 2022 valedictorian at Avery County High School, where she excelled in track and field. Her untimely demise has left a profound impact on her family and the community. In a heartfelt statement on social media, her family expressed their devastation at the loss, emphasizing the deep emotional impact of the incident.

Search Efforts and Investigations

The search for Cheuvront was initiated after she was reported missing on a Saturday. Her tracking app ceased functioning, and attempts to contact her went unanswered, prompting concern among her friends and family. SANParks, the managing authority of Table Mountain and other national parks, launched a coordinated effort involving rangers, wilderness search and rescue members, and trail runners to locate the missing student. Despite their efforts, the search had to be suspended on Saturday evening due to deteriorating conditions.

The following day, an aircraft joined the ongoing search efforts, providing aerial support that ultimately led to the discovery of Cheuvront's body. While the exact cause of her death remains undetermined, authorities have opened an inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident further.

Safety Precautions for Hikers

The heartbreaking incident has prompted South African authorities to issue a strong caution to outdoor enthusiasts. They have urged individuals to refrain from hiking alone and recommended embarking on such activities in groups of at least four people. This advisory aims to enhance safety measures and prevent similar tragedies in the future.