Helicopter Rescues in Tasmania "2"

[Overlandman]

From the Mercury

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasma ... c60df7d866

A CLIMBER who fell from a rock pillar about 55m above sea level on the Tasman Peninsula has been plucked to safety by the Westpac Rescue helicopter.

Tasmania Police said the climber, a Queensland man in his 20s, was traversing an area known as “The Pole Dancer” at Cape Raoul with a party of four yesterday when he fell about 8m.

The injured climber landed on a small ledge on the eastern side of Cape Raoul and was secured by other members of his climbing party.

The rescue helicopter, which was called out about 2pm, winched a rescue crewman and paramedic to the lofty location.

Police said the patient was treated on the ledge for about an hour in “extremely challenging circumstances”.

Once stabilised, the man was winched into the chopper and flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a serious condition.


Later yesterday, the chopper was called out to rescue an injured bushwalker from Hartnett Falls on the Overland Track.

A female walker aged in her 40s from Western Australia sustained head injuries after slipping into the Mersey River.

The woman was flown to the RHH in a stable condition.

[aloftas]

..

[Overlandman]

From today's advocate
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew to Kitchen Hut at 5.30 PM Yesterday
A woman twisted her knee & could not walk back to the Dove Lake Carpark.
The woman was assessed and flown to the Carpark. She did not require hospitalisation.

The story then went on to say how you must be prepared, with the correct equipment, boots etc.

hand typed no link sorry

Regards OLM

[Overlandman]

From the Advocate

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/371 ... ain/?cs=87


THE Westpac Police helicopter was deployed to rescue a New South Wales woman at Cradle Mountain on Tuesday.

Tasmania Police were alerted to the rescue at 4.4pm. The woman had suffered a knee injury while participating in six-day guided tour of the Overland Track.

The woman was on day-one of the tour and twisted her knee at Plateau Creek which is located between Marions Lookout and Kitchen Hut.

The Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter transported the woman to Hobart where she received medical attention.

[Paul]

By "tour" - do you mean she was a paying customer to a commercial company /

If so, does the profiting company have to pay Tas Gov or Rotorlift for the evacuation ?

Paul.

[wander]

No one pays for a rescue in Australia. It is a long held policy across states and federally.

It goes back the law of the sea, everyone rescues everyone no questions asked and no bills sent, in the end what goes round comes round.

Edit, there are some more specific threads on this topic.

[Nuts]

well.. there are obviously ways to avoid the public rescue system (and media scrutiny), which can be seen by the absence of some in the industry from the news.

Generally though, and overall, I can think of many occasions where the presence of guiding groups has saved some private walkers bacon

Other times, for other reasons I can only speculate, rescues just don't reach the news. Personally, I think rescue (TRT) listings were in the public interest and there are a range of positive outcomes worth the clumsy flak that can result.

--------

On the 30th January an elderly male walker was evacuated from Kia Ora hut on the Overland Track.
The man was suffering a recurrence of a medical condition and had managed to pitch his tent on the side of the track, short of the hut, before 'collapsing' into it. Others had walked past the man earlier in the day assuming he had just decided to camp in an 'odd' place.

He was eventually attended by two passing medical professionals who, much to their credit, sensed something not quite right. Both they and the patient were from different European countries and while the medication info (he carried) and communication (given the language barrier and the patients physical state) were difficult, they managed some assistance and had been outfitted with necessary equipment including a personal location beacon. The beacon was activated and apparently some 2 1/2hrs later a helicopter arrived. From accounts of those attending, 'in the nik of time' as the man was 'on the verge of a coma and the tertiary stage of this chronic illness'.

While the attendees praised the professionalism of the crew and understood a related explanation of the scope of (and support for) state rescue operations, they question the lack of 'international' labeling on vital medications carried, the lack of a EMS doctor from the flight and the time taken.

[andrewa]

Mate of mine recently got helicoptered out from one of the western lakes where he was fishing - they'd been out for a few days, and the bushfire in the area was extending, so, after being spotted by a search plane, a helicopter came and "collected" them. Note that they had not called for help, and didn't realise that the bushfire was threatening them. Apparently the fishing had been particularly good that day!

A

[north-north-west]

well.. there are obviously ways to avoid the public rescue system (and media scrutiny), which can be seen by the absence of some in the industry from the news.

Generally though, and overall, I can think of many occasions where the presence of guiding groups has saved some private walkers bacon

Other times, for other reasons I can only speculate, rescues just don't reach the news. Personally, I think rescue (TRT) listings were in the public interest and there are a range of positive outcomes worth the clumsy flak that can result.

--------

On the 30th January an elderly male walker was evacuated from Kia Ora hut on the Overland Track.
The man was suffering a recurrence of a medical condition and had managed to pitch his tent on the side of the track, short of the hut, before 'collapsing' into it. Others had walked past the man earlier in the day assuming he had just decided to camp in an 'odd' place.

He was eventually attended by two passing medical professionals who, much to their credit, sensed something not quite right. Both they and the patient were from different European countries and while the medication info (he carried) and communication (given the language barrier and the patients physical state) were difficult, they managed some assistance and had been outfitted with necessary equipment including a personal location beacon. The beacon was activated and apparently some 2 1/2hrs later a helicopter arrived. From accounts of those attending, 'in the nik of time' as the man was 'on the verge of a coma and the tertiary stage of this chronic illness'.

While the attendees praised the professionalism of the crew and understood a related explanation of the scope of (and support for) state rescue operations, they question the lack of 'international' labeling on vital medications carried, the lack of a EMS doctor from the flight and the time taken.

Well, my first question would have been of the patient - as to why, at his age, with a known chronic medical problem - he didn't carry a PLB.

[Nuts]

Just sticking with that facet, no further, perhaps he did have one?

[Overlandman]

From the Advocate

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/374 ... ion/?cs=87

Two men rescued following beacon activation Feb. 20, 2016, 1:52 p.m.

TWO Victorian men were winched out of the South Coast walking track this morning, after they activated their personal locator beacon (PBL).

Tasmania Police Search and Rescue received information from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority that a PLB had been activated on the South Coast walking track at 6.30am.

The PLB was detected at Granite Beach and was registered to two men in their 40s from Victoria.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter located the two men and an Ambulance Tasmania Paramedic and a Police Rescue Crewman were winched to the scene.

After briefly treating one of the men for a medical condition both were winched from the scene and flown to Hobart where the sick male was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a stable condition.

[Nuts]

: - (deleted, update posted elsewhere)

[Mountain Rocket]

Edit: See OLMs post below.

[Overlandman]

As it wasn't a rescue I started another topic this morning.
Hoping that it will become a rescue.
Regards OLM

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22894

[Mountain Rocket]

Two teenage boys who found themselves in difficulty after exploring on a bushwalk yesterday, were rescued by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter at around 6.30am this morning.

The boys had gone on a bushwalk in the Collinsvale/ Sorell Creek area yesterday and were expected home at around 5.30pm.

Worried parents contacted police late last night when the boys failed to return.

At 1:00am this morning the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was activated to search for the boys.

At approximately 6:30am the pair were located by the helicopter in Sorell Creek.

A paramedic was winched to the scene and was able to walk the boys out to safety to nearby farmland.

Both boys were cold and exhausted but otherwise uninjured.

From Tas Police Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tas.Police/pho ... 631616003/

[Overlandman]

From the Mercury website
Regards OLM

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasma ... a51b941676

A BUSHWALKER who fell ill while at the southern end of Tasmania’s Overland Track has been flown to Hobart for treatment.

The Westpac Rescue helicopter was called out to Narcissus Hut, on Lake St Clair, about 6.45am today to respond to a call for help from the 65-year-old man.

Police said the man was suffering from a medical condition.

The sick man and his daughter were collected from Narcissus Hut and flown to Hobart.

The man is in a stable condition in the Royal Hobart Hospital.

[stepbystep]

I was there. Always sad to see people in distress. Heli team do a great job, as always.

[JimBob]

From Tas Police website:

Sunday, 1 May 2016 - 12:03 pm.

At 11:45am on Sunday 1/5/16 the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Munro Hut on the Three Capes Track due to information received from a park ranger that three women had been struck by lightning.

The three women, all from Victoria were walking on an area known as “The Blade” near Cape Pillar at approximately 10:00am on 1/5/16 when they all reported to have been struck by lighting. All three were able to walk 7km back to Munro Hut where the alarm was raised.

The helicopter was able to land at the hut, a paramedic examined them, and they were all flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital for further observation.

[johnk1]

OMG.

[Mountain Rocket]

Not a rescue as such, but 'Injured bushwalkers to benefit from remote rescue equipment boost'
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasma ... 8c76b17319

[Overlandman]

Thanks for the link Robert H.
Had a close up look at the chopper on Saturday at Agfest
The team do a fantastic job.
Regards OLM

[Mountain Rocket]

No worries! I wonder who got the contract...

[Mountain Rocket]

Police release to media: At 2:50pm the Police rescue helicopter was tasked to New Pelion Hut on the Overland Track. A 48 year old man had fallen on the track suffering head injuries and was subsequently flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

https://www.facebook.com/thevigilantene ... 661990042/

[Overlandman]

Noticed that the Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust have updated their website.

https://www.westpacrescuetas.com.au/

The site includes a lot more information, including Bushwalker Rescue.
Also has stories from persons who have been rescued.
(NNW you will have to submit your story )

Regards OLM

[north-north-west]

(NNW you will have to submit your story )

Haven't I told that yarn often enough already? Besides, no real drama on that one. There are far more interesting tales out there.

[Tas Tom]

Noticed that the Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust have updated their website.

https://www.westpacrescuetas.com.au/

The site includes a lot more information, including Bushwalker Rescue.
Also has stories from persons who have been rescued.
(NNW you will have to submit your story )

Regards OLM

And the new web site now makes it very easy to donate to the Rescue Trust, which can only be a good thing.....

[icefest]

On the 30th January an elderly male walker was evacuated from Kia Ora hut on the Overland Track.
The man was suffering a recurrence of a medical condition and had managed to pitch his tent on the side of the track, short of the hut, before 'collapsing' into it. Others had walked past the man earlier in the day assuming he had just decided to camp in an 'odd' place.

He was eventually attended by two passing medical professionals who, much to their credit, sensed something not quite right. Both they and the patient were from different European countries and while the medication info (he carried) and communication (given the language barrier and the patients physical state) were difficult, they managed some assistance and had been outfitted with necessary equipment including a personal location beacon. The beacon was activated and apparently some 2 1/2hrs later a helicopter arrived. From accounts of those attending, 'in the nik of time' as the man was 'on the verge of a coma and the tertiary stage of this chronic illness'.

While the attendees praised the professionalism of the crew and understood a related explanation of the scope of (and support for) state rescue operations, they question the lack of 'international' labeling on vital medications carried, the lack of a EMS doctor from the flight and the time taken.

Wow.

That's incredible. So lucky,

[Mountain Rocket]

Tasmania Police and the Police Westpac rescue helicopter were deployed this morning to search for missing walkers on Mt Mawson. The walkers were located safely and flown back to Hobart. Well done again to our rescue crew!

From: https://www.facebook.com/thevigilantene ... 093904332/

[Overlandman]

From ABC

Search is underway
Hope there is a good outcome.
Very cold up there tonight.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-25/s ... ck/7543898

A search is underway in Tasmania's Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair national park, after a 21-year-old Victorian man activated his personal emergency beacon while walking the Overland Track.

The beacon — known as an emergency position-indicating radio beacon or EPIRB — was activated about 3:30pm on Saturday.

A rescue helicopter has been searching the area, but was forced to divert to Launceston due to bad weather.

Police have described the 21-year-old man as a "fit and experienced" walker and are liaising with his family.

It is not clear if he was walking alone or with others.

Search and rescue crews, and a paramedic set off on foot from Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain about 8:00pm on Saturday evening.

The rescue helicopter was also going to attempt to continue the search overnight.

The Overland Track is a world-renowned walk through Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area.

The 65-kilometre trek usually takes between five and seven days to complete, and weather and conditions are notoriously unpredictable.

The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service advises only very experienced walkers attempt the walk in winter, with snow common.

Temperatures in the area were forecast to drop to 1 degree Celsius overnight on Saturday.

Topics: disasters-and-accidents, emergency-incidents, tas, australia

[Mountain Rocket]

Good outcome achieved.

Update: The male walker involved in this incident has been located in the early hours of this morning. The walker has non life threatening injuries.

From https://www.facebook.com/thevigilantene ... =3&theater

See also: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-26/m ... ve/7544216