Police confirm two tourists discharged from hospital after cliff fall into water

Police have said two tourists fell into the ocean after walking off-track to a popular photo spot. Hear from the crew who rescued the man swept out to sea.

surf near Remarkable Cave, Tasman Peninsula. by Kane Young

Police say two European tourists are lucky to be alive after straying from a bushwalking track and falling from a cliff face into water, prompting a community effort to rescue them.

Emergency services responded to reports from the public at around 4.05pm on Sunday that a man had fallen into waters off of the Tasman Peninsula after he and his partner ventured from the Mount Brown walking track to a popular photo spot.

The man, aged in his 20s, was reportedly 80m from shore when members of the public near Maignon Blowhole called police, with his female partner able to climb up the two to 3m cliff face and out of the water to call for help.

Rescue chopper. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Police, Marine and Rescue Search Controller Sergeant Kristy Eyles said it was the next steps by members of the public that ensured the man survived.

“Initial calls placed the man in the water between the blowhole and Mount Brown, which was a significant search area,” she said.

“The man has been swept out to around 200m from the shore and was in the water for up to 50 minutes before assistance by a nearby jetskier and the crew onboard a Pennicott boat were able to assist and rescue the man.”

The man was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital on Sunday for suspected hypothermia after being in the water for approximately 50 minutes.

The female only sustained minor injuries.

Sergeant Kristy Eyles of Tasmania Police. Picture: Linda Higginson

Sergeant Eyles said both were discharged from the hospital and were “incredibly lucky” in their situation.

“To be able to self-rescue is very lucky in itself,” she said.

“The swell was between one to two meters at that point in time, so tricky conditions and wearing dark clothing so it’s hard to spot in the water for the male person that was washed out to sea – it’s extremely dangerous situations.”

Constable James Blay of Nubeena Police Station also said the incident was a reminder of adhering to marked tracks, stating the “ending could have been a lot worse” for the rescued walkers.

Owner of Pennicott Wilderness Tours Robert Pennicott said he was proud of the response by his staff.

Pennicott Wilderness Adventures owner Rob Pennicott

“The skipper of one of the boats Sam heard the mayday call over the radio and was just unloading passengers in Port Arthur,” he said.

“He called me to contact police if they needed assistance, which they agreed we would be quicker to the rescue site.”

Mr Pennicott said the skipper and crew members then travelled to the area of the call for help, managing to find the swimmer and pull him onboard the boat.

“When he was onboard, he was weak that’s for sure, especially after swimming for around 50 minutes,” he said.

“In our 26 years, we have saved a lot of lives, and this is no different.

“We have towed boats, pulled boats off the rocks and rescued swimmers, kayakers.

“The police chopper could have gotten the swimmer out okay, but those few minutes could have made the difference.”

Originally published as Police confirm two tourists discharged from hospital after cliff fall into water