Table Top Mountain: Safety concerns raised after second fall in several days

Emergency services, including RACQ LifeFlight, have needed to rescue at least 10 people from Table Top Mountain in recent years, as questions remain around safety.

At least 10 people have needed to be rescued after falling from Table Top Mountain since 2019, as questions remain over safety on the major natural landmark.

RACQ LifeFlight has revealed it performed nine rescues of hikers by helicopter over the past five years, while very recently a young boy was taken by ambulance after he fell 30m while climbing Table Top on Sunday.

He suffered a head wound and back injuries from the fall and was taken by ambulance to Toowoomba Hospital.

The boy was the second person in less than a week to be injured while hiking at the site, with a woman in her 40s needing to be winched out last week after falling 20m.

The female victim reportedly tumbled down the cliff face, then landed and was trapped in a fork of a tree, on a difficult to access and extremely rocky section of the mountain.

The rescue involved a massive crew of ambulance, fire and LifeFlight personnel to find, treat and winch up the woman.

#Rangeville - Paramedics are on scene at Tabletop Mountain at reports of a patient that has fallen approximately 30 meters. A helicopter has been deployed to the scene. pic.twitter.com/aHaQwwmJp1

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) April 8, 2023

The Toowoomba Regional Council is expected to discuss the matter, after mayor Paul Antonio said concerns around safety warranted “further investigation”, after a second person fell while climbing it in less than a week.

A young boy was taken to hospital on Sunday after falling 30m from the famous natural landmark just east of Toowoomba about 9am.

A woman aged in her 40s has been rescued off Table Top Mountain with serious injuries. Picture: RACQ LifeFlight

Table Top is considered a difficult walk by most bushwalking enthusiasts, with the mountain presenting a number of exposed areas that leave little room for error.

Mr Antonio said while the council did not have a position on Table Top at this point, he was open to investigating safety concerns.

“I’m quite happy to ask the staff about solutions,” he said.

“There’s never been anything formally done, so maybe we ought to consider something.

“I haven’t put thought into that but my understanding is we haven’t gone into where we could (improve safety).

“In view of the number of accidents, it’s worthy of investigation.”

A woman aged in her 40s has been rescued off Table Top Mountain with serious injuries.

Environment and community portfolio leader Tim McMahon said he would raise the matter at council meetings this week, while noting hikers should be aware of the dangers of Table Top.

“We have to balance providing activities for people to do with safety,” he said.

“There has to be some personal responsibility, if you’re not fit, maybe don’t do it.

“I don’t know council’s actual position (but) there will be a proper position this week.

“I was up there last week, not thinking where you’re putting your feet could be dangerous.”

Toowoomba – Table Top Mountain.