Helicopter Rescues in Tasmania "2"

[Mountain Rocket]

There is some nice footage that shows the area where he got stuck in this Guardian article. Hoping he recovers okay and well done to all involved!! https://www.theguardian.com/australia-n ... afters-leg

[Son of a Beach]

I wonder if the leg got removed from the river/rocks after it was amputated from the person? Apologies if this sounds disrespectful - that is not my intention. I'm genuinely curious.

Sympathies to the bloke who's lost his leg, and to the group who were with him who are probably also traumatised. Sounds like he's still in poor shape in hospital. I hope he recovers ok.

[Overlandman]

How the Rescue was performed
from ABC

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-25/ ... /104643558


Rescuers who saved a 65-year-old Lithuanian man trapped in a river in Tasmania's remote south-west have detailed the challenges of the complex mission.
The challenges included a language barrier, the man suffering hypothermia and rescuers having to deal with approximately 13 tonnes of water per second flowing down the river.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I wonder if the leg got removed from the river/rocks after it was amputated from the person? Apologies if this sounds disrespectful - that is not my intention. I'm genuinely curious.

Sympathies to the bloke who's lost his leg, and to the group who were with him who are probably also traumatised. Sounds like he's still in poor shape in hospital. I hope he recovers ok.

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't leave it there.
I'd get it cremated and put on the mantle as a reminder of how worse it could've been

[Overlandman]

Update from ABC

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-01/ ... /104652740

Health authorities now say the man is in a "stable" condition in hospital, more than a week after his leg was amputated above the knee in a complex operation in fast-flowing water to free him.

[Natematt86]

Hi all.

Just wondering, given that the Westpac chopper doesn’t cover interstaters, would I need to get domestic travel insurance to be covered for it hiking in Tassie?

If domestic insurance is required, does anyone have any policy recommendations?

Cheers

[johnw]

Hi all.

Just wondering, given that the Westpac chopper doesn’t cover interstaters, would I need to get domestic travel insurance to be covered for it hiking in Tassie?

If domestic insurance is required, does anyone have any policy recommendations?

Cheers

I am assuming you are an Australian citizen, or resident. If not, the answers are different.
Generally speaking domestic travel insurance does not cover medical expenses within Australia, as it is broadly covered by Medicare etc for the cohort I specified.
Ambulance, regardless of method - road, air etc is an anomaly, with each state having different rules, however it is not covered by Medicare.
For ambulance cover where there is no reciprocal agreement in a state that you don't reside in, it is usually/often covered by private medical insurance.
I you already have that, check whether your policy includes ambulance cover Australia-wide. In my experience most of the NSW policies do, but I don't know the situation in Vic.
If you don't have private medical insurance consider taking it out, at least for ambulance only cover. I'm assuming that type of policy is still being sold.

[keithj]

I have BUPA Ambo cover @<$50pa - https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insuranc ... ance-cover
The FAQ there states -
With Emergency Only Ambulance, you’re covered for unlimited emergency ambulance trips including air services and on-the-spot treatment Australia wide when provided by recognised providers.
and recognised providers are who you'd expect.

[Natematt86]

Yeh I’ve only got Medicare, so trying to find something that covers me, just in case.

[Natematt86]

I have BUPA Ambo cover @<$50pa - https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insuranc ... ance-cover
The FAQ there states -
With Emergency Only Ambulance, you’re covered for unlimited emergency ambulance trips including air services and on-the-spot treatment Australia wide when provided by recognised providers.
and recognised providers are who you'd expect.

So is this your go to for cover? Or do you also have private insurance?

[keithj]

I have BUPA Ambo cover @<$50pa - https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insuranc ... ance-cover
The FAQ there states -
With Emergency Only Ambulance, you’re covered for unlimited emergency ambulance trips including air services and on-the-spot treatment Australia wide when provided by recognised providers.
and recognised providers are who you'd expect.

So is this your go to for cover? Or do you also have private insurance?

It covers the whole family inc 2 biggish kids for all of Oz. Cheaper than 4 people each having private insurance that includes ambo cover that may or may not cover a particular state.

[Natematt86]

I have BUPA Ambo cover @<$50pa - https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insuranc ... ance-cover
The FAQ there states -
With Emergency Only Ambulance, you’re covered for unlimited emergency ambulance trips including air services and on-the-spot treatment Australia wide when provided by recognised providers.
and recognised providers are who you'd expect.

So is this your go to for cover? Or do you also have private insurance?

It covers the whole family inc 2 biggish kids for all of Oz. Cheaper than 4 people each having private insurance that includes ambo cover that may or may not cover a particular state.

Legend. Thanks Keith

[Overlandman]

Update on Franklin River Rescue from ABC

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-23/ ... /104757650

[Overlandman]

From Tas Police
The Big Yellow Taxi

Police are urging people to be prepared when bushwalking in Tasmania after two people became lost and were rescued near Federation Peak overnight.

The two men, aged in their twenties, activated their personal locator beacon about 8pm after they found themselves disoriented and without their equipment that had been left at their campsite.

Tasmania Police Search and Rescue crews, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania were deployed to the area to search for them.

Due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter was delayed in its departure which extended search times.

The two men were located about 5.40am today uninjured by search and rescue crews.

Bushwalkers need to ensure they are prepared for all conditions when bushwalking in Tasmania’s unique environment.

The weather in Tasmania can change rapidly and dramatically, so it is important that all walkers prepare for the worst.

Many of the locations where people require assistance are remote, and it takes time for police and rescue crews to arrive and then navigate potentially challenging conditions.

While crews will always respond when called, you can keep yourself safe by carrying the right equipment.

[north-north-west]

From Tas Police
The two men were located about 5.40am today uninjured by search and rescue crews.

That's good to hear. S&R should not be injuring their customers (patients? clients? targets? What do you call the su8bjects of a search?).

[Lostsoul]

From Tas Police
The two men were located about 5.40am today uninjured by search and rescue crews.

That's good to hear. S&R should not be injuring their customers (patients? clients? targets? What do you call the su8bjects of a search?).

I bet they feel like injuring some of these pea brains sometimes haha

[Overlandman]

Sadly from Tas Police

Sadly, a man in his 60’s has died while bushwalking at Cradle Mountain National Park.

Police and emergency services were called to the scene near Hansons Peak about 12.30pm today after reports a person had been located unresponsive on a track near the junction of Hansons Peak and Twisted Lakes track.

Upon arrival of emergency services, sadly the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Preliminary investigations suggest there are no suspicious circumstances.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

[north-north-west]

And again ...

[Overlandman]

From Pulse Tasmania

A drone at Cradle Mountain came within metres of colliding with a rescue helicopter that was responding to an emergency on Christmas Day, according to police.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was flying along Dove Lake around 4:15pm on December 25 when it nearly crashed into the drone.

Police are now appealing for information about the incident, especially as drone operations are prohibited within Tasmania's national parks.

[Lostsoul]

Probably the same breed that leave tissues everywhere.

[Old Fart]

Thoughts to all those involved

From Tasmania Police Waste Book Page

Sadly, police can advise the body of a bushwalker was located in the Southwest National Park yesterday.
Police were notified of a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) activation shortly after 11am, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tasmania attended the scene.
It was discovered that another bushwalker had located an unresponsive man on the track, and he was confirmed deceased.
The deceased is a 54-year-old man from Queensland, and it appears he was conducting the bushwalk alone.
His family has been notified and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Initial investigations indicate there are no suspicious circumstances.
The matter has been reported to the Coroner and further investigations will be undertaken.
This is the second incident this week in similar circumstances, and police would like to take the opportunity to remind bushwalkers of the dangers of the Tasmanian wilderness.
Police advise bushwalkers against walking alone, and to ensure they carry sufficient warm clothing and food, and emergency communication devices. A two-way messaging emergency device is preferred.

[bumpingbill]

Another terrible story. So sad.

Bushwalker dies at Federation Peak
Tuesday, 31 December 2024 - 10:54 am.

Sadly, a man has died after falling from height while bushwalking at Federation Peak in the Southwest National Park.
It is understood the man, aged in his 30’s from Victoria, fell about 11am on Monday 30 December 2024.
Two of his bushwalking companions raised the alarm and search and rescue commenced operations to locate him late yesterday afternoon, including ground and aerial searches.
The Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter and ground crews recommenced search activities this morning and located the man about 9am, where sadly he was confirmed deceased.
The deceased man was then retrieved by the helicopter.
The two other walkers have also been airlifted out.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

[Overlandman]

Very sad

More from ABC

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-31/ ... /104773878

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Something’s got to give with Federation Peak.

I expect it will get closed or a chain installed. This can’t continue.

[lefroy]

Something’s got to give with Federation Peak.

I expect it will get closed or a chain installed. This can’t continue.

People take risks everyday, why change the mountain? It's not a difficult climb in the right conditions. Maybe a few deaths will see people reconsider their plans if it is raining or clouded out.

[Lostsoul]

Something’s got to give with Federation Peak.

I expect it will get closed or a chain installed. This can’t continue.

Leave it as it is!
People need to understand their limitations and the weather before undertaking such a climb.
It’s not for everyone and just because it’s on Instagram doesn’t mean everyone should try it.
We can’t be dumbing down everything just because a few people have paid the ultimate price.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

You both seem to have confused me as someone who is advocating closure. I never said that.

What I said, is that I expect it will get closed or chains installed.

Used to be a death every decade or so, now there’s multiple deaths every year. Despite people signing waivers, acknowledging T&Cs and walking past big warning signs, I expect it won’t be long before Parks Tasmania’s lawyers say that the history here might give them a problem in the future.

You’re right - Instagram and YouTube have shown these places to people who aren’t equipped. And they’re going to ruin it for everyone into the future.

IMHO If you want to climb it and haven’t yet, you might want to get your skates on.

[Paul]

People will still climb Fedders, regardless of whatever restrictions or closure is implemented.
Paul.

[Mechanic-AL]

With the exception of cultural restrictions or access through private property are there any mountains in Australia that your not permitted to climb ?
Or can anyone, anywhere bowl up to any peak and start climbing ?
Cant imagine how you could enforce this one..........

[Son of a Beach]

This is complete bollocks... In the Examiner today:

Experienced climber calls for greater safety measures following tragic deaths

Mountain climber John Carswell calls for safety chains to be placed in steep stretches of dangerous mountain tracks in Tasmania.

But even someone as experienced as Mr Carswell can see the need for better safety in the Tasmanian mountains.

"At Cradle Mountain, Federation Peak and Frenchman's Cap there are short but dangerous sections of track where there have been fatalities in the past," Mr Carswell said.

"I said in July there would continue to be fatalities and now there has been one, and nothing's been done about it."

Mr Carswell suggested a simple and cheap alternative: installing 10 to 30 metres of anchored chains that climbers could hang onto while climbing steeper sections of the tracks.

He said it was a common practice in Europe, called via ferrata, or iron path, which involves climbing with the chain.

"You can choose not to, but they're put there for people that feel unsafe on that sort of ground ... the man that died at Federation Peak [December 31] would probably still be alive if those chains had been installed," Mr Carswell said.

"I've climbed Federation Peak three times - I haven't taken any special precaution because I consider myself a competent climber, but if there were chains there, I'd be hanging on to them."

A government spokesperson said in response to any serious accident, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service examines the circumstances and considers whether improvements can be made to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"That process examines the condition and classification of the track and its markings, and the presence of information and hazard warning signage," they said.

"The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service continues to encourage visitors to our parks to choose a walk that matches their capabilities and carry the appropriate safety and walking equipment.

"That includes physical maps, a first aid kit, a portable battery bank, adequate food and water, and clothing suitable for all weather types. We also encourage the use of a Personal Locator Beacon."

Don't ruin the wilderness because people die. Yes, it is tragic. But you can't wrap the entire world in cotton wool. People will make mistakes and die, and sometimes people will die even when they do everythibng right and even when all safety measures are in place. There will still be tragic accidents. It's terrible, but it's life.

We could ban people from walking out of their front doors, but some of us will still trip over our own cushy sofa and break our necks on the coffee table.

Educate people about the risks and let people take responsibility for their own safety, but don't build safety rails through the wilderness. (Yes, I know that there are already safety chains on Hansons Peak and Marions Lookout.)