Rescuer reflects on 25th anniversary of Thredbo landslide

Critical care paramedic Chris Wilkinson held Stuart Diver’s hand as the ski instructor laid trapped by the Thredbo landslide. Twenty-five years on, the hero reflects on the rescue.

It’s been 25 years since critical care paramedic Chris Wilkinson was among the first responders to the Thredbo landslide and he said thoughts of it “still gives me goosebumps”.

Three days later he held the frozen hand of Stuart Diver, the disaster’s sole survivor who was found pinned beneath three concrete slabs.

But for Mr Wilkinson, the rescue, which gripped Australia and went on to reshape the nation’s response to emergencies, feels like “only last week”.

“We’d been pulling deceased out and we didn’t think anyone would be found alive because it was freezing cold,” he said.

“But when we heard a voice from beneath the rubble our team mobilised, and I was lucky enough to be alongside Paul Featherstone and get down under the concrete slabs to Stuart.

It has now been 25 years since the deadly Thredbo landslide.

“We couldn’t see him because he was another two concrete slabs underneath us, but I do remember we put a hole in the dirt that his ­fingers popped up through, and I remember holding his fingers.

“I couldn’t believe how cold they were, it was like holding ice.”

Survivor Stuart Diver was lifted from the rubble at Thredbo after 65 hours.

And Critical Care Paramedic Chris Wilkinson was the one to rescue him. Picture: Richard Dobson

The landslide occurred about 11.40pm on July 30, 1997. Thousands of tonnes of mud, snow and debris crushed two ski resorts, killing 18 people inside.

Mr Wilkinson, speaking on the disaster for the first time in more than two decades, said it was the most memorable rescue of his 39-year career. Mr Wilkinson, Paul Featherstone and Stephen Martz were issued Distinguished Service Medals for their heroic actions.

Now aged 59 and still in aeromedicine, Mr Wilkinson said he loved the job as much as ever.

“Time goes on and it goes quickly,” he said.

“To now see footage of the cheering and applause when we ­finally got him out, it still gives me chills.”