Mt Tibrogargan rescue: Man falls 20m from walking track in Glass House Mountains

New images amid a dramatic rescue at the Glass House Mountains, where a man was critically injured, have emerged as an SES leader weighs in on calls to improve safety at the popular tourist spot. Updates here.

New photos and video following a dramatic rescue at the Glass House Mountain have emerged, as a Sunshine Coast SES leader weighs in on calls to fortify safety at the popular tourist spot.

It comes after a man in his 50s was winched to safety and flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition after he reportedly fell about 20m while hiking on Mt Tibrogargan on September 20, 2022.

It was the second fall at the popular tourist destination in three days after a teenage climber suffered serious injuries at Mt Ngungun on September 17, 2022.

Gold Coast photographer Amber Woolf witnessed the dramatic rescue on Tuesday while at the Glass House Mountains lookout.

“The helicopter started over head just as we took photos (of the view) … it was a little nerving with the helicopter so close,” she said.

Gold Coast photographer Amber Woolf (@butterflywolfstudio) was at the Glass House Mountains look out when the dramatic rescue began. Photo: Contributed

News of the dramatic rescues sparked an online conversation about whether tougher safety laws should be introduced, or if the hiking tracks should be closed off altogether.

SES Sunshine Coast local controller Brendan Casement said the rescues came amid a spike in injured hikers in past months, but it was difficult to determine a common cause.

“It’s very hard to sort of work out the pattern … I think it’s simply down to the amount of people going out for walks or climbs out there in the mountains,” he said.

Gold Coast photographer Amber Woolf (@butterflywolfstudio) was at the Glass House Mountains look out when the dramatic rescue began. Photo: Contributed

The best way to ensure safety at the Glass House Mountains was to ensure hikers and climbers did their research and understood their limitations, he said.

“We do see people just not simply climbing to their limitations and abilities of themselves and … that’s how they get themselves unstuck,” Mr Casement said.

Firefighting crews and paramedics were tasked about 1.10pm on Tuesday to help the man at Mt Tibrogargan near Barrs Rd after he reportedly fell 15m – 20m.

A Queensland Ambulance Audio of Operations Supervisor Shaun Bright said a rescue helicopter was required to assist as the man had suffered significant head and leg injuries.

“When bystanders got to him the gentleman was unconscious,” Mr Bright said.

Gold Coast photographer Amber Woolf (@butterflywolfstudio) was at the Glass House Mountains look out when the dramatic rescue began. Photo: Contributed

“It was quite a walk to the scene, about 500m until we got to Chicken Rock on Mt Tibrogargan.

“The gentleman had significant head injuries, he had an open probable skull fracture and lower limb injuries with suspected fractures to his tibia and his fibia.”

#LIVE: A person has reportedly fallen 20 metres on Mount Tibrogargan in the Glass House Mountains National Park.

WATCH LIVE at 6pm for the latest update. #9Newshttps://t.co/B1wKU9Dny2

— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) September 20, 2022

It’s understood the climber had fallen near Chicken Rock Tibrogargan, which is one of the steepest parts of the climb.

Mr Bright said while the “crews did a fantastic job”, he did warn people to be careful when climbing during the school holidays.

“As it warms up, make sure you’re prepared, take plenty of water with you on the walk,” he said.

“If you’re not experienced, don’t attempt to climb the mountain.”