Two helicopter rescues prompt Tasmania warning for bushwalkers
Two separate helicopter rescues in Tasmania have prompted police to urge bushwalkers to carry charged phones or personal locator beacons. A 62-year-old man escaped injury after sliding down a steep coastal slope on Bruny Island, while another walker was taken to hospital after becoming ill in the Tyndall Range.
Tasmanian police have urged bushwalkers to carry reliable communication equipment after two separate helicopter rescues on Saturday. A 62-year-old New South Wales man fell about 10 metres down a steep slope near a coastal track at Dennes Point on North Bruny Island. Police said he was not injured and contacted emergency services by mobile phone at about 10:30am.
A specialist police roping team reached the area in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and rescued him at about 1pm. Senior Constable Callum Herbert said an attempt to rescue himself could have caused a more serious fall because the slope was unstable. In a separate incident, a 44-year-old man became ill while walking in the Tyndall Range on Tasmania’s west coast.
He was part of a group of three travelling from an overnight campsite and became unable to continue. The group activated a personal locator beacon and contacted emergency services through satellite communications at about 3pm. Police said the rescue helicopter located them and took the ill man to Royal Hobart Hospital for assessment.
Inspector Steve Jones said the incident was a reminder to carry enough food, water, communication equipment and emergency shelter in case of unexpected delays. Police said the second group’s equipment, including its beacon, helped ensure a quick response. They urged walkers to carry a fully charged phone on short walks and a personal locator beacon in more remote areas.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.