First responders who saved trapped Lithuanian kayaker in Tasmania share chilling details about 20-hour ordeal

The first responders who helped save a Lithuanian tourist by amputating his leg in a desperate 20-hour rescue mission have spoken about the horror scene.

The rescuers behind a daring mission to save a trapped Lithuanian tourist in Tasmania by cutting off his leg have spoken for the first time about the shocking decision they had to make.

Valdas Bieliauskas, a 66-year-old Lithuanian adventurer, was white water rafting along Tasmania’s Franklin River with friends in November last year when he slipped and wedged his leg between rocks and fast-running water.

What followed was a 20-hour high-intensity mission involving police, paramedics, surf lifesavers, air-rescuers and health services that ended with the kayaker’s leg being amputated at the scene.

Rescuers and Mr Bieliauskas spoke to Australian Story, sharing new detail on how the dynamic rescue took place.

Rescue teams worked for 20 hours to save Mr Bieliauskas. Pictures: Tasmania Police

Mr Bieliauskas was travelling with 10 fellow rafters along the river when he became trapped.

His companions first tried to rescue him themselves, before calling for help using a satellite phone, Australian Story reported.

When rescuers arrived they tried every thinkable option to save Mr Bieliauskas — they attempted to spread the rocks, drilled a tripod to lift him, and tried pure brute force to lift the kayaker.

“I began to think, maybe I’m destined to stay here, stuck, forever,” Mr Bieliauskas told the program.

Eventually the rescuers had to make a harrowing decision, to amputate the Lithuanian’s leg.

Rescuers tried every option to save the kayaker. Picture: NewsWire Handout

Intensive Care flight paramedic Rohan Kilham told the ABC he felt “so conflicted”.

“If this goes ahead, you might kill him.

“But even if it all goes perfectly, he’ll never be the same again.”

Another rescuer Adrian Petrie told the program Mr Bieliauskas’ demeanour had “totally changed” as hypothermia set in, necessitating the amputation.

“I’d never had to hurt someone to save their life,” Mr Petrie said.

Even then, the amputation is not without its challenges, with the only doctor in the rescue team, Nick Scott, breaking his wrist in a sudden fall as he made his way towards the water’s edge.

Hours later, another doctor, Jorian Kippax, was winched on to the scene. He told ABC he was reluctant, but knew the only way to save the tourist was to proceed with the amputation.

“The inevitable consequence of him staying there was death, and that was going to be quite soon,” he said.

Mr Bieliauskas was knocked out with ketamine during the operation, but when he was freed his fellow rafters feared the worst.

One Lithuanian compatriot Arvydas Rudokas told the ABC: “The colour of his skin, and the body … my diagnosis was Valdas is dead.”

The group was white water rafting along the Franklin River. Pictures: Tasmania Police

Mr Bieliauskas recovered in the Royal Hobart Hospital following the operation and returned to his home-country in January this year.

At the time Tasmania’s Department of Health Acting Secretary Professor Dinesh Arya praised rescuers and emergency workers for their part in saving Mr Bieliauskas ‘ life.

“This is a great example of a whole of health system and cross-agency effort that has resulted in this man’s life being saved.”

Now, in an unexpected twist the Lithuanian kayaker told Australian Story he planned to return to the Franklin River in 2026 and finish what he started.

Originally published as First responders who saved trapped Lithuanian kayaker in Tasmania share chilling details about 20-hour ordeal