Mount Wilson: Hero cop Kelly Foster died trying to save student in whirlpool
Police are mourning “one of their own”, Senior Constable Kelly Foster, who lost her life alongside the woman she was trying to save from a surging whirlpool in a mountain canyon.
NSW
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Police are mourning “one of their own”, Senior Constable Kelly Foster, who lost her life alongside the woman she was trying to save from a surging whirlpool in a mountain canyon.
The 39-year-old country cop and breast cancer survivor was among a group of 10 people who had trekked through indomitable bushland in the Blue Mountains to reach a gorge beneath Mount Wilson.
The Wollangambe One Canyon is a popular spot for canyoneers and people who float downstream on inflatable mattresses known as lilos.
It’s understood a 24-year-old Chinese student had made the long hike to join the group in floating down the normally picturesque stretch of water.
But police believe the young student was sucked into a whirlpool and knocked from her lilo into the water.
Senior Constable Foster heroically leapt into the churning water to try and save the as-yet unidentified young woman.
But both disappeared beneath the surface and did not surface again.
Police Minister David Elliott led the tributes to Sen-Const. Foster for her selfless actions.
“The heartfelt condolences of the Government goes to the police family today,” he said. “Senior Constable Kelly is nothing less than a hero. Something people need to reflect on when they next feel the need to criticise NSW Police.”
Chief Inspector Peter Scheinflug said a member of the canyoning group had to trek 45 minutes out of the remote terrain to get a phone signal to call Triple-0.
The other canyoners frantically searched for the women.
A search and rescue operation was launched on Saturday afternoon but the weather forced it to be called off a few hours later.
It’s unclear what heavy and constant rainfall over the Blue Mountains had done to the Wollangambe One river.
Police believe the increased rain had driven up the water level inside the canyon which sat under heavy fog as the canyoners ventured in.
The search could not resume until Sunday morning as the clouds broke.
Then it took just a few hours for the dozen emergency service teams to locate the bodies in the canyon.
The death has cast the tight knit Blue Mountains police community into deep mourning.
“Her colleagues are fairly traumatised by this loss, she was a well respected and well liked member of the police force,” Chief Inspector Scheinflug told the media as PolAir helicopters circled above the canyon.
He paid tribute to the officer’s final actions in service of others.
“It’s true to the traditions of the NSW Police force — service above self. First responders run toward danger, others run from it. This is quite an example of that action.”
Police Rescue members trudged into the canyon behind him carrying 30 kilogram packs deep into the bush.
Chief Inspector Scheinflug said the rescue was particularly hard on his “troops” given the Senior Constable was “one of their own”.
“It’s tragic for both families and extended families including the work families,” he said.
“Lithgow is a small station, you work with the same people more frequently, there’s a tighter bond — it’s going to hurt.”
The bodies of the women were finally winched out by helicopter midafternoon on Sunday.
A large group of inconsolable relatives shuffled into the ambulance station where the women’s bodies were being held. They broke down at the scene before being led back to the nearby community hall in silence.
The Chinese embassy has been contacted, the Chief Inspector said, and the younger woman’s family friends are being supported in Australia as her family is contacted in China.
People believed to be known to the young woman remained together at the scene until rescue services began leaving on Sunday afternoon.
A colleague of Senior Constable Foster, waiting at the scene, said she was a relative newcomer to the station but “lovely” and beloved by her fellow officers.
There was an outpouring of grief for the fallen officer led by the Police Association of NSW who called it a “tragic loss of life” for the “Blue Family”.
“RIP my old Academy mate,” one woman wrote.
“Always a selfless and compassionate individual. You will now be remembered as a hero. I will treasure the memories of our good times in Goulburn.”
Sen-Const. Foster graduated into the NSW Police in August 2010. She began her duties as a probationary constable at Newtown and was confirmed as a constable in May 2012.
In May 2014, she joined the State Crime Command working as an intel analyst until May 2020. She then transferred to Lithgow
NSW Police Acting Commissioner Mal Lanyon has extended his condolences to the Foster family on behalf of the NSW Police Force.
“It’s a very sad time for the NSW Police Force and Kelly’s death is a loss to the whole community,” Acting Commissioner Lanyon said.
“To hear reports that Kelly was trying to help another woman when she died demonstrates her commitment to the community she served and the ability to put the needs of others before her own.
“Kelly was a highly regarded and dedicated officer who will be sorely missed by colleagues across the force.
“Her policing career was put on hold when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, however, her strength to survive this and return to work is another testament to her strength and resilience.
“Above all, Kelly was a kind and loving daughter, sister and partner.”
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