Injured swimmer found after frantic search near Sunshine Coast waterfalls

A man that disappeared while jumping into waterfalls in the Sunshine Coast hinterland has been found and taken to hospital after a major search effort involving police and state emergency service volunteers.

A man has been taken to hospital after a major search effort was launched when he disappeared near waterfalls in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the man was found at 9pm on Thursday, February 22, just after the search effort was “scaled back” at about 7.30pm.

“The missing person was located shortly after 9pm last night and was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” the spokeswoman said.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said that paramedics were called to a private address at Yandina, where they transported the man to hospital.

“For that patient we’ve transported him to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a stable condition with a leg injury,” the spokeswoman said.

Earlier on Thursday, a call was made to emergency services in the afternoon about a man who had jumped into a waterfall and injured himself in the Cooloolabin area, west of Yandina.

However, when emergency services arrived, the man could not be found.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said police joined the search about 2.20pm and the SES had also been called.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokeswoman said a few fire and rescue crews were called to Buckby Rd and Point Glorious Rd where they searched throughout the afternoon, leaving about 5.30pm.

The waterfalls in Cooloolabin include Kiamba rock pools and Wappa Falls.

Wappa Falls has been the scene of fatalities and serious accidents in the past, especially after heavy rain.

There are warning signs for swimmers not to go into the area, especially after rain events.