Six kayakers winched to safety after becoming stranded in remote Shoalhaven River gorge

A group of men stranded in an inaccessible gorge in NSW’s south have been rescued after activating a personal locator beacon.

A group of kayakers was rescued following a multi-agency search and rescue operation in the state’s south. Picture: The Hume Police District

A group of kayakers stranded in a remote gorge in the state’s south have been rescued following a major multi-agency search and rescue operation.

On Saturday, six men set out kayaking downstream on the Shoalhaven River, entering at Oallen Ford and planning to reach Bungonia State Recreation Area by Monday.

However, shortly before 1pm on Monday, a personal locator beacon was activated near Spa Road, Windellama – roughly 40km southeast of Goulburn – after the group failed to reach their prearranged pick-up point.

Officers responded and set up a command post at Windellama Hall.

A coordinated search effort was launched with support from NSW Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, POLAIR, Toll Helicopters, the SES and NSW Ambulance.

The TOLL Helicopter winched NSW Ambulance critical care paramedics into the location, retrieving four males. Picture: The Hume Police District

By 4.30pm, the group was located in a remote, steep-sided gorge that was inaccessible by road and impassable in either direction along the river.

NSW Ambulance critical care paramedics were winched into the area by helicopter and retrieved four men – aged 51, 59, 60 and 64 – who were then flown to the command post for treatment for minor injuries and exposure.

With daylight fading, two paramedics camped overnight with the remaining men, aged 26 and 52, before all were successfully winched out by 10.50am the next day. Neither of the remaining kayakers were injured.

The Hume Police District Superintendent Linda Bradbury praised the group’s preparation and the collaborative emergency response.

“The group of kayakers had necessary equipment to support their trip and had notified friends of their plans. The location they found themselves in was extremely remote and had they not been carrying a personal locator beacon, the outcome could have been devastating,” Supt Bradbury said.

“We thank all of the emergency service agencies for their contribution during the search and rescue operation and remind anyone heading out to engage in adventure sports, that they check the conditions, make sure they are wearing suitable clothing and carrying sufficient supplies, check the weather conditions and most importantly carry a personal locator beacon – which in this case, was lifesaving.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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