Coober Pedy: Emergency rescue after man plunges down mineshaft
A MAN has been lucky to escape serious injury after plunging down a mineshaft at Coober Pedy overnight.
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A MAN was lucky to hobble away with only an ankle injury after he plunged 15m down a mine shaft at Coober Pedy on Friday night.
Daniel Cotter, 22, had been ‘black lighting’ — scouring for opal — with his cousin when he slipped and fell down a vertical mineshaft about 11.45pm, sparking an emergency rescue.
Mr Cotter’s cousin rushed into town to raise the alarm and SES and CFS crews, with special equipment, arrived at the mineshaft shortly after to pluck the man to safety.
The careful rescue operation, involving about 15 emergency service volunteers, took just under two hours to complete.
Mr Cotter was assessed by paramedics at the site, and even took a selfie while on a stretcher, before being taken to Coober Pedy Hospital for further treatment for an ankle injury.
He was flown to Adelaide for further X-rays on Saturday morning.
Coober Pedy SES unit manager Michael Beelitz told the Sunday Mail Mr Cotter was in good spirits during the ordeal despite his predicament.
“He was able to talk to us from the (bottom of the mineshaft),” he said.
“He was actually standing by the time we got to him.
“He had a busted ankle and sore knee and pain down one side.”
Mr Beelitz said Mr Cotter was fortunate he was not alone when he fell.
“He was black lighting with a cousin and he was on the mound and slipped down the hole,” he said.
“Lucky there was two of them out there.”
Coober Pedy CFS lieutenant Matt Meyers said the CFS volunteers provided support for the SES crew during the operation.
He described it as a “text book” rescue.
“They lowered one of their members down and the attached a harness … put a helmet on, and attached him to his person and then they brought him back up,” he said.
SES state duty officer David O’Shannessy said the Coober Pedy SES volunteers were specially trained in mineshaft rescues.
“It was a very successful outcome and that’s a testament to the commitment and the training they have towards mine shafts,” he said.
The incident also prompted a mineshaft safety reminder from police.
“Remember that if you do fall, try to slow your descent by pushing your arms and feet out, but keep your head tucked in,” a spokesman said.
“Most importantly, never enter the fields by yourself, and watch your step.”
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