Woman rescued after fall causes serious knee injuries

Emergency services worked together in a complex rescue to reach and a woman injured while hiking with a group in Mount Walsh National Park. SEE THE RESCUE

A woman in her 60s was winched from Mount Walsh National Park and flown to hospital with serious knee injuries after a dramatic fall on May 11.

Emergency crews from Biggenden, Childers, Gayndah and Bundaberg worked together to help the woman with the Bundaberg-based LifeFlight aeromedical crew winching her from the mountain just after 1pm.

It’s believed the hiker, aged in her 60s, was climbing Mt Walsh with a group when she fell about one metre.

A LifeFlight rescue crewmen and Queensland Ambulance Service flight paramedic were winched down to the patient.
Queensland Fire Department and local QAS paramedics were also on scene after trekking to the patient.

She was treated for a knee injury and stretcher-winched into the helicopter before being flown to Bundaberg Hospital in a stable condition.

Howard Parker, leader of the Bundaberg Bushwalking Club, praised the response.

“Fantastic effort by all emergency personnel from Biggenden, Childers, Gayndah and Bundaberg yesterday, in the remote rescue of one of our members, bushwalking in the Mt Walsh NP,” Mr Parker said.

“Also thanks to Moira Thompson, for directing ES to the location, and also hiking to the accident scene.

He said she suffered significant knee injuries, which involved multiple fractures and required surgery.

“We sometimes take these people for granted, but one day, your life may depend on them.”

A LifeFlight rescue crewman and QAS flight paramedic were winched to a woman injured while hiking Mount Walsh, before she was airlifted to Bundaberg Hospital with serious knee injuries.