Helicopter Rescues in Tasmania "2"

[MrWalker]

I'm really concerned that people will read about the $45,000 bill and the confusing arrangements between states, and they'll decide to hobble out or get carried by friends rather than call for help. So a minor injury becomes major by the time they get out.

Or they'll try to find their own way out if they are lost, and get further off track. Then we have dozens of searchers risking their lives because they didn't call for help soon enough.

[headwerkn]

^ This.

Every emergency service organisation is at pains to explain that no one will be refused service, criticised for their decision (by anyone who's opinion matters... Facebook peanut gallery doesn't count) to 'hit the button' or be bankrupted by a massive bill for this exact reason. Unfortunately stories like this aren't at all helpful - the kinda crap you expect in the USA or far-off third world countries.

Ambulance reciprocal arrangements between the states are a bit confusing, and I suspect the only reason the Tas Government billed an ACT resident for the bill was because they knew they had private cover for it. That said I am proud to be a Tasmanian resident

Any member of Air Rescue, SAR, et. al. will look you straight in the eye and say it is way better to seek help days too early, than five minutes too late. The "R" stands for rescue, not retrieval, ideally...

Also: too many stories of people walking on injuries until they've done permanent damage to themselves. By all means, be responsible, self triage and use the resources you have at your disposal first to get yourself safe if you can. Give consideration of calling in a helicopter because you've freaked out about getting a leech on you, or that flooded creek is going to make you miss your flight because you didn't allow enough extra time in your schedule for weather. But if you need help, get help.

[doogs]

For interest, here are the reciprocal agreements in place for Tasmanian residents:
https://www.health.tas.gov.au/hospitals ... e-tasmania

[phATty]

Also: too many stories of people walking on injuries until they've done permanent damage to themselves. By all means, be responsible, self triage and use the resources you have at your disposal first to get yourself safe if you can. Give consideration of calling in a helicopter because you've freaked out about getting a leech on you, or that flooded creek is going to make you miss your flight because you didn't allow enough extra time in your schedule for weather. But if you need help, get help.

There definitely needs to be more advertising/publicity in respect to when a helicopter rescue is suitable or not.
Mind you, I don't think anyone flips the PLB thinking that they're not in a medical emergency, it's all relative.

[headwerkn]

I don't think anyone flips the PLB thinking that they're not in a medical emergency, it's all relative.

Very true, and talking with the heli rescue staff about that certain 'lady with the leech' rescue some years ago, there was still no judgement from any of them. (Some people are legit very allergic to leeches too.)

I was however thinking more of the party coming out of Rhona who got stuck on the western bank of the Gordon by high river levels, and who called in a rescue because they didn't have enough provisions to sit out a night (apparently) and were going to miss their flights home the next day. That's just poor planning, and it seems to be an increasingly common theme amongst visitors trying to make the most of their time here. Totally understandable of course, but the concept of adding weather/river crossing days to you trip itineraries really cannot be overstated enough.

[Overlandman]

From the Advocate

Police have launched a search operation in southwest Tasmania for an overdue bushwalker.
The man, in his 20s, set off for a multi-day hike along the Eastern Arthurs Traverse last Tuesday.
He was due to finish the walk over the weekend, but has not made contact with friends as planned and was last heard from on Friday.
The man is reported to be an experienced bushwalker.
The Eastern Arthurs Traverse is a Grade 5 track and the Parks and Wildlife Service says the challenges of it are not to be underestimated.
“It should be completed by walkers with significant experience in remote, alpine conditions,” the service says on its website.
Located in Southwest National Park, and part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse challenges experienced walkers and rewards them with the celebrated Federation Peak (1225m).
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is being used in the search effort.

[bumpingbill]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-23/ ... /104130120

Bit of a worry.

[headwerkn]

Hopefully just delayed due to rivers/creeks in flood that aren't safe to cross ATM. Given the rain of late, seems very likely.

It's situations like this where the extra $ for a satellite communicator/tracker quickly pay dividends. A quick message to loved ones can save a tonne of worry.

[bumpingbill]

I haven’t been into EAs - which rivers likely to cause issues? Cracroft mostly?

[Overlandman]

Update

Update at 2:30pm:

A ground search crew is being deployed to the Eastern Arthur Range this afternoon as the search for an overdue bushwalker in Tasmania’s Southwest continues.

Police were called shortly after 4pm yesterday, after a friend reported he was overdue and had not been in touch since Friday.

Initial checks were undertaken yesterday, and aerial searches began this morning once weather conditions allowed.

A ground search crew of four police, two wilderness paramedics and four SES volunteers is being deployed this afternoon.

The Eastern Arthur Range Traverse is challenging, and would take most experienced bushwalkers six to nine days to complete.

While he is reported to be an experienced bushwalker, we don’t believe the man is in possession of a Personal Locator Beacon.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 247-22072024.

[philm]

I’m not sure an experienced solo walker would venture in there in winter without an EPIRB or satellite communicator?

[Nereus]

Heli rescue is not free, ever. It costs the taxpayer and donors, and it exposes the crew to appreciable risk in bad weather. It is a wonderful service and should never be abused or taken for granted. Being cold (but not freezing) and hungry for 48 hours is not / should not be cause to call a rescue chopper in. While some might disagree I would ask those people to think about a circumstance where I am cold and hungry and late, but safe, and they are on Goon Moor with a broken ankle and a head injury.

[headwerkn]

I haven’t been into EAs - which rivers likely to cause issues? Cracroft mostly?

Short answer: all of them, pretty much. South Cracroft on Farmhouse, Cracroft at Crossing on Huon. Pass and Strike Creeks - even though they're small - can be difficult and potentially dangerous to cross when they're pumping. All the creeks along the Arthur Plains become problematic with a lot of rain, Seven Mile and Junction particularly.

I’m not sure an experienced solo walker would venture in there in winter without an EPIRB or satellite communicator?

Well... you'd like to think no sensible solo bushwalker would go without one. Then again, InReachs and similar communicators are quite expensive to buy and maintain a subscription for. Not everyone has a tonne of disposable income available for such things. A PLB on the other hand isn't *that* expensive and can be hired if need be. I always tell younger people getting into bushwalking that if $300-$400 for a PLB is too much of a stretch for their budget, then to word up their parents for birthday/Xmas present ideas... usually Mum and Dad need little convincing to invest in their kids' safety

[Tazz81]

If you can’t afford a PLB then you can’t afford to walk. Putting multiple rescuers at risk of injury or at worst risk of losing their life so you can bag some Abel’s is just selfish.

[Overlandman]

Updated Wednesday, 24 July:

Sadly, police can advise a man has died while bushwalking at Eastern Arthur Range in Tasmania's Southwest.

Police believe the 27-year-old New Zealand national fell from a height in the vicinity of Federation Peak.

Sadly, the man's body was located by a search crew about 10am today.

The retrieval of the man will require both ground and aerial resources and it is expected to take some days for emergency service personnel to safely undertake this due to the terrain and weather conditions.

Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

[matagi]

If you can’t afford a PLB then you can’t afford to walk. Putting multiple rescuers at risk of injury or at worst risk of losing their life so you can bag some Abel’s is just selfish.

Although one should always carry a PLB when bushwalking, it is only useful if you are both conscious and have sufficiently functioning limbs to use it.

[matagi]

A sad outcome. I had been hoping he was delayed by high water levels.

[Overlandman]

From ABC

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-24/ ... /104134582

Police say there has been 20 retrievals of bushwalkers from the Eastern Arthurs Traverse climb in the last 10 years.

[headwerkn]

Tragic news. Deepest condolences to his family.
And once again a great effort by TasPol, SAR, AT etc. to get out there and find him so quickly. Alas, not the result we were all hoping.

If you can’t afford a PLB then you can’t afford to walk. Putting multiple rescuers at risk of injury or at worst risk of losing their life so you can bag some Abel’s is just selfish.

Although one should always carry a PLB when bushwalking, it is only useful if you are both conscious and have sufficiently functioning limbs to use it.

Exactly. I don't really buy the "if you can't afford a PLB you can't afford to walk" line as it is very dependent on the who/what/where of it all... but if you're going solo into an area where you're unlikely to be seeing other people on a regular basis, a satellite comms unit with tracking (and someone monitoring) makes so much sense to the point where it really should be considered mandatory equipment. If someone stops/stalls in a spot contrary to their itinerary (always share your plans with your safety contact) then you can message them for an update... if no response, you know there's likely a serious issue and can get the authorities onto it.

[vagrom]

"20 retrievals by Police" might mean it's time for a Via Ferrata up the 'Direct Route' ?. Could they run it up the Climber's Route instead? Either way, there's no way round but the Southern Traverse.

Do people fall off only during crap weather ? You never know what it's really like till you've done it. Have the fallers all been first timers?

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://we ... buDSXJh6x7

[weetbix456]

Please no Via Ferrata. That still requires specialist equipment, and knowledge on how to use it - and would potentially encourage more walkers to head out beyond their skillsets. Accidents sadly happen, but let people have the ability to make choices. Some things are more controllable with good planning, contingencies, and in field management - but there will always be times when things go wrong. It can happen to anyone tbh - and appreciating this should be in the back of everyone's mind when undertaking anything in life. I really don't believe this means we should manipulate nature to suit our desire to visit everywhere on the planet..

[north-north-west]

Agree with weetbix on this.
Also can't help thinking that doing that traverse - whether includng the summit or not - in winter, with no emergency comms was asking for trouble.

[vagrom]

I did it in 2003 with an on-track acquaintance. She'd done it at least a couple of times but still had to hunt the route out for a bit. Is it better marked these days?

If not then lone fallers may wind up doing so because they've gone off-piste and this worsened with crap weather.

[headwerkn]

I went up twice in 2022 and the route both across the Southern Traverse and Direct Ascent is pretty obvious, though you definitely do need to have your brain fully engaged on the latter. I agree fully with the notion I was told prior to my first trip: "if it gets genuinely sketchy or dangerous, you're in the wrong spot - go back and try again".

Though if my understanding is correct, it sounds like as many people have been seriously injured or killed negotiating Geeves and Chockstone Gullies as they have the Direct Ascent, which is definitely something people need to be keeping at the forefront of their minds. The whole area has a general level of "sketch", that while manageable by experienced and sensible people in good conditions*, can and will bite hard the moment you don't give 100% respect at all times.

(*He says, having crossed the Southern Traverse in crappy weather before. Never again.)

Via ferrata is a terrible idea generally, and hopefully would never be tolerated anywhere in Tasmanian wilderness. Not sure why it is even on Mt Owen...

[bhogan]

Really sad outcome. Condolences to the family and friends he left behind.

From an ABC article on the 24th, police announced searchers had located the man around 10am deceased from what they described as a "significant fall" on one of the "approaches to Federation Peak", which has an elevation of 1,224 metres above sea level. From this statement it appears he wasn't attempting a summit attempt or am I wrong? Having never done the traverse but assuming he was walking from West to East which is the direction of travel noted in various news articles, what parts of this section are really sketchy and can anyone indicate possible places an accident like this could have occurred (assuming it wasn't a summit attempt)?

[Tortoise]

So sad to hear.
My thinking is that in poor conditions it could be more dangerous on the southern traverse with a full pack than on the direct ascent with a small pack. There are steep rock sections between the Hanging Lake turnoff and Chockstone gully, which I think I'd be more likely to slip on than in Geeves & Chockstone gullies. But I'm not sure about actual accidents.
Here's one section of the southern traverse:

[Thornbill]

There was an interview on ABC Hobart Drive on Wed where the police inspector specifically mentioned the area around Chockstone Gully (sorry, don’t have the link to the interview right now).

[Tortoise]

The route goes under the chockstone. The west to east traverse involves coming down this.

The figure on the right is standing at the junction of the two gullies. Geeves Gully heads steeply up to the left, but is less exposed than it looks here:

[Overlandman]

There’s a story today on the Advocate website
It’s behind a paywall so I won’t paste a link

Free emergency PLB hire rejected after hiker deaths, near-death of child

The death of a third hiker, and the near-death of a child, in Tasmania's national parks is not triggering the government to take stronger protective actions to keep bushwalkers safe.
Two interstate hikers and a Tasmanian have died on bushwalking tracks in recent months, but the free-hire of emergency personal locator beacons (PLBs) from national parks is not being considered.
New South Wales police and the national parks service offer free hire of PLBs in 13 national parks to prevent deaths on difficult hikes.

Parks and Environment Minister Nick Duigan would not consider the free hire of PLBs to hikers, and has no plans to change current safety bushwalking advice to prevent future hiking deaths.
This is despite the Parks and Wildlife Service's strong-recommendation to use PLBs while walking in remote areas.
"The Tasmanian Government wants visitors to our parks to get out and enjoy the unique experience of walking in winter, but we want everyone to be safe. That's why PWS and Service Tasmania provide an EPRIB hire service," Mr Duigan said.
But availability for this $40 per week hire service from Service Tasmania in Launceston, Burnie, Devonport or Hobart 'is not guaranteed' due to high levels of demand.
Three hiker deaths in five months, one 'close-call'
This week a 27-year-old man died while walking the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse, and it is understood he did not have a PLB.

[bumpingbill]

Here's a link to the audio from ABC Drive's Wednesday show, where there seems to be the most specific information.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/ ... /104114636

Interview starts about 4 minutes in, but I've run the audio through an transcription AI just to make it a bit easier. I've highlighted the bits about Chockstone, etc.

LUCY BREADEN: You've probably heard the news by now if you've been listening to the ABC, but the bushwalker who went missing in the Eastern Arthur Range in Tasmania's southwest has died.

Police found his body this morning.

It was near Federation Peak.

So let's get the latest with Inspector Colin Reily from Tasmania Police in the Kingston division who's been leading this search.

Thanks for your time today, Colin REILY.

COLIN REILY: Good afternoon, Lucy.

LUCY BREADEN: Really sad news to hear about this today.

What do we know about this man's disappearance and what happened today?

COLIN REILY: A 27-year-old who was quite an experienced bushwalker.

He set out on the 72-kilometre trek on the Eastern Arthur Traverse.

He was seen on a camera last Thursday, so we actually saw him in his tent which gave us a position on the track.

And the last text message went out on Friday morning.

So he was meant to return Saturday, Sunday.

He didn't.

The alarm was raised on Monday.

And then we conducted a search operation and he was found this morning at 10am.

So in relation to retrieval, it is going to take us some time because we've got very significant strong winds, we've got some bad weather and we've got to balance the safety of the emergency service personnel.

So at this point we're looking to rope down, then to rope up the walker, and then get the walker to a safe place where the helicopter can do a winch.

So more than likely at this stage that'll be on Sunday.

LUCY BREADEN: Okay, so that will take quite some time, the next, possibly the next week at least.

COLIN REILY: So in essence tomorrow is about pre-positioning all our ropes, getting all our gear and personnel in the right location.

Then on Friday we'll sit tight because the weather's quite poor.

And then on Sunday we will then go through the whole helicopter extraction.

LUCY BREADEN: And how many people do you think you'll need for that retrieval effort?

COLIN REILY:Well the search itself, we had five teams in total and we're going to have to duplicate that for the retrieval.

So we're bringing in not only police, SES, wilderness paramedics, but we're also bringing in some professional rock climbers as well.

So we're trying to get the best team possible.

And that tomorrow is about constituting that team and pre-positioning.

LUCY BREADEN: And how are they feeling about the rescue effort given the weather isn't looking to crash hot?

COLIN REILY: We always balance the safety verse of what we're trying to achieve and nothing is done that's going to risk any of our searches.

So it's a very pragmatic approach.

And Sunday is the first opportunity where we'll be able to get that helicopter in where we're not experiencing 80 to 100 kilometre per hour gusts of winds, which we just can't do the retrieval with those sorts of winds in the helicopter.

LUCY BREADEN: Oh no. So what does Sunday's weather look like?

COLIN REILY: Well of all the days, it is the first opportunity.

So we should see a decrease in the winds, so hopefully down around 30 to 40 kilometre per hour winds.

And it will just give us the clarity because what we're doing is actually quite difficult to do this retrieval.

And then to winch, we've actually got to secure the helicopter line to the ground and then winch out.

So the best day is Sunday.

But it would certainly be if the weather deteriorates, we'll have to put it off again.

LUCY BREADEN: Inspector Colin Reily is my guest from Tasmania Police, who's been heavily involved in the search for this missing bushwalker who was found this morning.

He was in the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse in Tasmania's South West.

We know that he has died.

What do we know about his death?

What do we know that led to it?

COLIN REILY: Well, some of the issues, obviously walking the Eastern Arthur Range by himself.

I do note that last year he did do the Western Arthur Range, so he's an experienced bushwalker.

All we know is that when he was located, it was at a very steep, the base, a very steep face.

There's a place called Chockstone Gully.

Anyone who's walked Federation Peak will know it.

So for some reason, he slipped or fallen, and we were lucky that we saw some gloves, a beanie and a backpack cover, which we then concentrated on, which then led to finding the walker, which was a blessing, to be honest with you.

LUCY BREADEN: Otherwise, what were the chances of finding him?

COLIN REILY: So the walk, the techniques we used, we obviously used the helicopter backwards and forwards along the trail.

We used walkers from either end, but Tasmania environment is so rugged that if you go three, five, six metres off the track, it is very, very hard to locate a missing walker.

I suppose in this particular case, there was a bit of luck, and also where the walker was, was exposed, so it could be seen by the searchers, which was fantastic.

LUCY BREADEN: And what was the weather like?

What has it been like there over the past few days?

COLIN REILY: The main problem has been the wind.

There's just been very elevated gusts, which just caused problems and stability for searchers on very steep terrain, let alone the helicopter.

The helicopter's only been able to fly very limited hours, but the warmth has been there, but it's just been wet and windy has been the main two problems.

LUCY BREADEN: It's almost a quarter past four.

Lucy Braden with you on Drive, 936 ABC Radio Hobart, and this is Inspector Colin Riley from the Kingston Division.

We are talking about the bushwalker that went missing, and police have, and search and rescue crews, found his body today.

This man, he was a 27-year-old, is that right, living in Melbourne at the time?

COLIN REILY: Yeah, so the walker's a 27-year-old male from Melbourne, and he comes down here to do, this is his second walk in the state.

His brother's from Melbourne, and his partner was down here as well.

So, look, he is an experienced bushwalker.

We like walkers to carry personal location beacons or sat phones, and we'd like walkers not to walk alone.

But obviously, you can't eliminate every risk.

In this particular case, it just might have been a chance accident or something occurred.

LUCY BREADEN: I mean, could the EPIRB have helped him in any way?

COLIN REILY: Well, and this is the case.

If you look at this specific case, a person who's fallen is probably unlikely to activate an EPIRB, but there's a whole lot of, you know, someone could get a twig in their eye, or they could damage a knee, or they could twist something that prohibits them from walking, and an EPIRB would be ideal to just let people know where you are.

But, you know, this young man, 27 years old, it's a sad set of circumstances, but he was actually doing what he loved, and he was out there in the wilderness, and it's a very beautiful place out there.

LUCY BREADEN: It is, and so many of us love hiking alone as well.

I mean, is it best not to walk alone, or do you just try and be as prepared as possible?

COLIN REILY: Always be prepared, and Tasmania's climate just changes so rapidly, and anyone who does bushwalking, and I do as well, you know, you've just got to be prepared for the worst-case circumstance.

You know, little PLBs, they're very cheap.

You can get away for a $230 one, which allows you to use a satellite to text message as well as send emergency signals, so Tasmania's just got some really rugged terrain, and it's quite easy to become disorientated, and ultimately it's quite easy to become lost, and then it makes it very hard for emergency service personnel to locate you, yeah.

LUCY BREADEN: And his family, they've been alerted?

COLIN REILY: Yes, I did spend some time with the family this morning.

They're obviously devastated, but they take some solace from the fact that the walker was doing what he loved and in a place that he loved, so that was very positive for them.

LUCY BREADEN: Yeah, it's just a devastating story.

Inspector, thank you so much for talking to us about this today, and best of luck over the coming days.

No doubt we'll speak to you again about the recovery.

COLIN REILY: Thank you, Lucy.

LUCY BREADEN: Inspector Colin Riley there from Tasmania Police with the Kingston Division.

He's leading the search and the recovery for the man who went missing, the bush walker, the 27-year-old from Melbourne.

He was doing his second hike here in the state.

He'd previously done the Western Arthur Range, and now he was doing the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse.

He was alone, and his body has been found.

It's absolutely devastating.