64-year-old man in hospital after early-morning Larapinta Trail rescue west of Alice Springs

Emergency services are commending a group of hikers for their actions Monday morning, after a man suffered a ‘medical incident’ on a remote Red Centre hiking trail. Read the details.

A 64-year-old man is in hospital in Alice Springs after he was rescued from the Larapinta Trail, north of Ellery Creek Big Hole, after a 'medical incident' on the morning of July 14, 2025. Picture: NT Police/ NTPFES

Update, July 14, 3pm: Rescue crews have worked through the night in the Red Centre to extract a man who suffered a “medical incident” near a popular swimming hole west of Alice Springs.

The 64-year-old man was rescued 12km north of the Ellery Creek Big Hole – 90km west of Alice Springs – Monday morning after activating a distress signal.

The man is now a “stable condition” in Alice Springs hospital, NT Police said in a statement Monday afternoon.

Emergency services making their way to the man. Picture: NT Police/ NTPFES

The man had a “medical incident,” according to the statement, while hiking with a group of experienced bushwalkers.

A recovery team was dispatched, and were able to reach the man after a 2km hike and getting as close as possible using a four-wheel-drive, reaching the victim at 2am.

The group established a camp while waiting for emergency services.

NT Police search and rescue sergeant Karl von Minden commended the group for being “adequately prepared” for the hike, as they were able to remain in contact with the search team as the emergency unfolded.

Emergency services had to hike 2km to reach the man, who was about 12km north of Ellery Creek Big Hole. Picture: NT Police/ NTPFES

“Being able to communicate with the group throughout the rescue operation was crucial to the successful recovery,” he said.

“The positive outcome of this rescue is testament to all parties, and a timely reminder to anyone thinking of exploring the Territory to ensure you are travelling with enough food and water, and are equipped with a PLB, EPIRB, or satellite communication device for those unforeseeable circumstance.”

Emergency search and rescue underway on Larapinta Trail

Ellery creek big hole in the West MacDonnell Ranges NT outback Australia. Picture: File

Initial, July 14, 9am: A co-ordinated search and rescue effort is underway to assist a man in “extreme pain” on the Larapinta Trail.

The man suffered a medical episode and an EPIRB (aka distress beacon) was activated about 7pm on Sunday evening, St John NT’s Craig Garraway said.

Mr Garraway described the man as a 64-year-old suffering “extreme pain”.

Southern Watch Commander Leigh Yates confirmed NT Police, St John Ambulance and Parks and Wildlife Rangers were co-ordinating a search and rescue response which was “ongoing”.

The 64-year-old is located on the Larapinta Trail near Ellery Creek Big Hole, about 100km west of Alice Springs, according to police. 

Commander Yates described his position as difficult to access, requiring the search team to drive part of the way then hike the rest of the journey to reach and treat the man.

By 6.30am on Monday morning, the search and rescue effort was ongoing, and the man had not been reached.

Due to the time the EPIRB was activated on Sunday, a helicopter could not be used due to low light, requiring the team to travel overland, Commander Yates said.

The operation is being co-ordinated by the Search and Rescue Section in Darwin using local resources in Alice Springs.

The overnight low near where the man is believed to be was 0º.

Originally published as 64-year-old man in hospital after early-morning Larapinta Trail rescue west of Alice Springs