Helicopter Rescues in Tasmania "2"

[Overlandman]

Weekend Rescues from the Advocate

An injured walker on Mount Roland;
a walker with a lower leg injury in the Scotts Peak Dam area in the South-West; and
a party of lost walkers on the Frenchmans Cap Track in the South-West.
The helicopter found the Mount Roland walker and he was taken to safety.
The chopper flew the Scotts Peak Dam walker to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment.
It found the lost walkers and flew them to safety.
They were not injured.
Australian Search and Rescue told police of two of the incidents.
The Mount Roland walker rang police.

[wander]

a party of lost walkers on the Frenchmans Cap Track in the South-West.
.

I'm curious as to how this can occur? Or were they doing an off track route?

[Letstryagain]

a party of lost walkers on the Frenchmans Cap Track in the South-West.
.

I'm curious as to how this can occur? Or were they doing an off track route?

Inexperienced walkers or abelists come across a tree fall on the track. Bash around it and can't find the track on the other side. Stumble around in the forest for 15minutes before setting off the PLB a dozen metres from the track.

I "rescued" some folks on the arm river track once who'd been in that situation. They were standing within view of the track blowing whistles quite frantically. It was pretty funny, for me at least.

[amok]

Maybe someone had a kemo treatment, maybe one was a doctor and had to do life threatening surgery. All of us walk in the wilderness and carry a PLB, some even walk by themselves, that makes us ALL entitled. It's time to stop judging, a helicopter was called so what, the important thing is nobody died.

Maybe it's just my poor understanding of our medical system, but I wonder if someone could have filled in for that Dr rather than using the heli as a taxi?

[Overlandman]

Just announced that RotorLift will partner with Toll Group as part of its tender to continue supplying emergency helicopter services to the Tasmanian government.
So it’s possible Tasmania will get the larger Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopters.
No more Westpac logo on the helicopters.

[headwerkn]

Just announced that RotorLift will partner with Toll Group as part of its tender to continue supplying emergency helicopter services to the Tasmanian government.
So it’s possible Tasmania will get the larger Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopters.
No more Westpac logo on the helicopters.

Interesting. I wonder if this had anything to do with the winding up of the Rescue Helicopter Trust?
Weird that Westpac were 'happy' to lose arguably their most valuable sponsorship/branding/advertising venture. I can barely say "Rescue Helicopter" without saying "Westpac" first, the connection is so strong.
Apparently Toll have been a partner with SAR services on the mainland for a while.

Oh well, as long as the service exists and well funded, I don't care what it's called

[north-north-west]

Just announced that RotorLift will partner with Toll Group as part of its tender to continue supplying emergency helicopter services to the Tasmanian government.
So it’s possible Tasmania will get the larger Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopters.

Uggghhhh! Agusta make the ugliest helicopters around. I'd rather walk crawl.

[johnw]

Just announced that RotorLift will partner with Toll Group as part of its tender to continue supplying emergency helicopter services to the Tasmanian government.
So it’s possible Tasmania will get the larger Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopters.

Uggghhhh! Agusta make the ugliest helicopters around. I'd rather walk crawl.

Not that ugly, surely
https://www.tollambulancerescue.com.au/our-helicopters/#menu

[GregG]

For what it is worth, I knew a man who said an Augusta 139 was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. All depends on the circumstances.

[Letstryagain]

For what it is worth, I knew a man who said an Augusta 139 was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. All depends on the circumstances.

Clearly a virgin!

[headwerkn]

Given the choice, I'd want a Bell 222 dressed up as Airwolf so I could hum the theme song.

But let's be honest.... if you're out in whoop-whoop with a broken leg, snakebite or whatever, anything from a Sikorsky R-4 and up would be perfectly fine
All helis look roughly the same from underneath anyway

[GregG]

For what it is worth, I knew a man who said an Augusta 139 was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. All depends on the circumstances.

Clearly a virgin!

Nah, just very lucky.

[tastrax]

You will struggle to land an Augusta on an old growth button grass plain

[tastrax]

You will struggle to land an Augusta on an old growth button grass plain

[headwerkn]

From Tas Police... sounds pretty serious.
---

At 22.15 last night, Police were advised of an EPIRB activation at Federation Peak in the South West.

A bushwalker had failed to return to camp, and emergency responders were alerted by the man’s three companions.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was deployed to the area with a ground Search and Rescue crew on board.

The missing bushwalker had contacted authorities by phone and was able to provide coordinates to his location. He had fallen and sustained a head injury.

The man, in his 30s, was located about 1:45am and flown to the RHH.

[Overlandman]

From Rotorlift
24th February
Headed up to Pine Valley Hut near Lake St. Clair yesterday to provide assistance to a bushwalker.

[johnw]

You will struggle to land an Augusta on an old growth button grass plain

I'm assuming because they have very low ground clearance, Phil? Or too heavy?
I have noticed up here those things seem to hover absolutely dead still, even in windy conditions. Maybe not put down completely?
NSW parks sometimes do a one skid landing in their own (smaller) choppers in awkward locations, for fire management etc.

[north-north-west]

You will struggle to land an Augusta on an old growth button grass plain

I'm assuming because they have very low ground clearance, Phil? Or too heavy?

Probably ground clearance. Old Man buttongrass can be a metre high or more.

[Overlandman]

I'm assuming because they have very low ground clearance, Phil? Or too heavy?
I have noticed up here those things seem to hover absolutely dead still, even in windy conditions. Maybe not put down completely?
NSW parks sometimes do a one skid landing in their own (smaller) choppers in awkward locations, for fire management etc.

Auto Hover on those machines John

[Jon MS]

A major advantage of the BK117 is its ability to get into tight locations due to its fairly small rotor disk. Something that a Agusta may struggle with due to its larger main rotor. And yes, the Agusta has very low ground clearance, which will greatly restrict its ability to land during remote area rescues.

The photo below was taken on Deal Island during the rescue of a Victorian bushwalker while my wife and I were caretakers. The chopper came from Melbourne without getting clearance from Tasmanian Search and Rescue with the crew saying as soon as they landed, and I quote, "we have wanted to come here for ages" (and they did a circuit of the island when they left...).

But, the Agusta will be a faster machine with longer range, which is probably more of an advantage on the Mainland with its bigger distances.

[lefroy]

No further details on the Federation rescue?

[Letstryagain]

No further details on the Federation rescue?

Someone slipped and hurt themselves not enough?

[vagrom]

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://m. ... R8HB3zF6wB

[Letstryagain]

Hahaha, exactly!!

Or am I someone who likes to slow down to look at a roadside accident eh?

[vagrom]

I submit. Three quarks for Muster Mark .

[lefroy]

No further details on the Federation rescue?

Someone slipped and hurt themselves not enough?

It's more interesting than hearing about helicopters. An injury on Fedder is way better reading

[Lostsoul]

A major advantage of the BK117 is its ability to get into tight locations due to its fairly small rotor disk. Something that a Agusta may struggle with due to its larger main rotor. And yes, the Agusta has very low ground clearance, which will greatly restrict its ability to land during remote area rescues.

The photo below was taken on Deal Island during the rescue of a Victorian bushwalker while my wife and I were caretakers. The chopper came from Melbourne without getting clearance from Tasmanian Search and Rescue with the crew saying as soon as they landed, and I quote, "we have wanted to come here for ages" (and they did a circuit of the island when they left...).

P1020736.JPG

But, the Agusta will be a faster machine with longer range, which is probably more of an advantage on the Mainland with its bigger distances.

That thing will be useless in Tassie mountain rescues.Hows it going to land in snow or buttongrass?

[Overlandman]

One from yesterday
Tasmanian Police Facebook page

At 12:05pm Sunday 24 March 2024, Police were advised of a missing walker in the Luina area. Police were advised that a man in his 50s had deviated from a track to explore and had been unable to find his way back to the track at 6:50pm 23 March 2024. Police were advised that the mn was not prepare for an overnight stay.

The man was not in possession of a personal locator beacon. Police Search and Rescue made limited contact with him and were able to obtain coordinates of his location.

The Rescue Helicopter was deployed to assist with the search but was grounded due to inclement weather in the area. Members from Tasmania Police and Ambulance Tasmania attended the area and proceeded to the man;s location on foot.

The man was located at 10:45pm by Police members. Due to inclement weather in the area, the rescue helicopter was unable to attend and the man and the search team camped at the location.

At first light 25 March 2024, the rescue helicopter was able to attend the area and safely remove the man from this location.

Police would like to remind walkers to let someone know where you are walking, consider the weather conditions, plan for unexpected events, take adequate food and water and wear appropriate clothing. Also give consideration to purchasing and carrying a personal locator beacon.

[Overlandman]

Update

Helicopter flew injured person out on Sunday morning


From Tasmania Police Facebook page

***Update@3.55pm***

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania crew is on the ground at Tahune Hut as they continue to respond to an EPIRB activation on Frenchmans Cap in the state’s south-west.

It is understood that one member of a bushwalking party has injured their shoulder on the way to the summit.

A paramedic has been dispatched to the injured walker, who will be assessed to determine if they can walk out.

———-

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania is responding to an EPIRB activation at Frenchmans Cap.

The weather on the West Coast is making it difficult for helicopter to reach the location.

More details will be provided when available.

[Overlandman]

From Helicopter Resources Facebook page.

CareFlight have teamed up with Tasmania-based Helicopter Resources (HeliRes) in a bid to transform emergency helicopter services for Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Government has approached the market to upgrade and enhance the emergency helicopter services across the state. This new and substantially improved helicopter capability will support Ambulance Tasmania, Tasmania Police and land and maritime based Search and Rescue services across the State.

CareFlight’s strategic partnership with Helicopter Resources in the bid brings national experience and local expertise together for the benefit of residents and visitors across Tasmania. The partnership presents a world-class solution that delivers innovation and industry best practice while enhancing safety and improved availability.

You can read more about The CareFlight Team's proposed commitment to providing top of the line care to Tasmanians below: