Slade Point: Woman being rescued after cliff fall

Firefighters abseiled 15-20m down a cliff at a popular lookout to rescue a woman who fell after dropping her phone. She is in a serious condition but her rescuers said she was lucky she did not fall further.

Rescuers abseiled about 15-20m down a cliff to rescue a woman who fell after dropping her phone at a popular lookout in Mackay.

Emergency services were contacted about 4pm and called to Albatross St at Slade Point near the suburb’s water tower.

While there was initially some confusion about whether it was the Albatross St Lookout or Lambert’s Lookout, onlookers heard the sirens and found the ambulance.

Three paramedics and one firefighter managed to get to where the woman had fallen quickly and were reported safe while they assessed her injuries.

Emergency crews responded after a woman fell from a cliff at Slade Point. Picture: Zoe Devenport

They were awaiting for harnesses and vertical rescue equipment to help get her to safety.

Firefighters have been frantically working on extrication, putting harnesses on all paramedics and preparing safety lines and anchor points.

There are three ambulances, police and firefighters at the scene.

There is a medical wheelbarrow device, a gurney and lots of ropes as officers work to secure a safe rescue.

Mackay District Duty Officer Trevor Robson said the woman herself made the call to emergency services to get help.

“About 4pm, we received a call from an injured female at the bottom of the cliff at the end of Albatross St,” Senior Sergeant Robson said.

“It appears she has dropped her phone and in the process went to retrieve it.

“As a result of that, she’s fallen onto some rocks below.

“Fortunately she fell on the same ledge as the mobile phone and she was able to contact emergency services to assist her in getting back up the hill.

“It looks like she has serious leg injuries and abrasions to her upper body

“She’s serious but stable at the moment.

“QFRS did an incredible job of getting her back up the cliff

Queensland Ambulance Service said the woman had a potentially serious back injury but was stable.

Neighbours at the scene said they did not see or hear anything until emergency services arrived.

Work to lift the woman back up the cliff face was beginning about 5.40pm.

Officers reported she was vertically rescued up the cliff face about 5.50pm and rolled on a trolley to a waiting ambulance.

She is on her way to Mackay Base Hospital.