Helicopter Rescues - New South Wales

[Overlandman]

From ABC News

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-04/f ... ns/5184598

A 27-year-old bushwalker has been winched to safety after spending the night in Blue Mountains having injured her hip last night.

The woman fell and sustained the injury while bushwalking with two other people in Claustral Canyon, near Mount Tomah, about 6:00pm (AEDT) last night.

Rescuers managed to reach the group last night, but poor light and rough terrain prevented a rescue helicopter from winching them to safety.

Four specialist paramedics and two police rescue officers spent the night with group.

The Ambulance Service says the woman and one of the paramedics were winched out about 6:00am today.

The woman was then taken to hospital.

[Lindsay]

I think Claustral Canyon is more about abseiling than bushwalking. Maybe that's what caused her injury.

[Shiner]

I was thinking the same. That would explain why the 2 uninjured people were also "air-lifted to safety".


ETA, Just saw this story on 7 news. A member of the group said the accident did happen on an abseil. No beacon as I understand. The group leader climbed out for help. The winch was too dangerous to do in the dark.

That's about it so far.

[flatfoot]

It seems the group did have a beacon.

Two Special Casualty Access Team paramedics were winched into the area at around 7pm after the group activated an emergency beacon, and they were joined by two more paramedics and two officers from Police Rescue who trekked in.

"There was no chance of getting a mobile phone signal. So [the emergency beacon] made a big difference."

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/injured-woman-rescued-from-blue-mountains-canyon-20140104-30aew.html

It is likely one of the party had to exit the canyon to get a signal with the beacon.

[Shiner]

It seems the group did have a beacon.

Two Special Casualty Access Team paramedics were winched into the area at around 7pm after the group activated an emergency beacon, and they were joined by two more paramedics and two officers from Police Rescue who trekked in.

"There was no chance of getting a mobile phone signal. So [the emergency beacon] made a big difference."

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/injured-woman-rescued-from-blue-mountains-canyon-20140104-30aew.html

It is likely one of the party had to exit the canyon to get a signal with the beacon.

Well that is good to know. It sounds like they did everything right. Other than having an accident, that is ....

[DarrenM]

Yep,
Flip would be great to have around when things go wrong. Experienced for sure. Hope the injured lass heals quick.

[Zone-5]

That's bad luck but having a GPS fitted PL beacon is a no fuss medivac solution IMHO.