Injured climber rescued from iconic climb, the Candlestick

An injured rock climber has been rescued from one of Tasmania’s most infamous climbing routes. LATEST >>

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Injured rock climber choppered to safety

Wednesday, February 9

A rock climber has been rescued from one of Tasmania’s most iconic climbing routes, the Candlestick

Westpac Rescue Helicopter members retrieved the injured man from Cape Hauy around midday Wednesday.

The chopper winched the man to safety after he fell around 10 metres, injuring his leg.

The man in his 30s was flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

A woman who was climbing with the man was uninjured and extracted from the area by rescuers, rappelling down the rock face to an awaiting police boat.

Recycling facility fire, Rocherlea

Update: 9.30am Wednesday, February 9: A Tasmania Fire Service spokeswoman says crews from the Launceston Fire Brigade will be dealing with the aftermath of a warehouse fire at a Rocherlea warehouse for “probably a week”.

The spokeswoman said crews from the brigade remained on-scene combating the fire, which is smouldering deep within massive piles of “pulverised” steel, plastic and rubber particles.

They have been joined by an investigator in an attempt to determine the fire’s cause.

Rocherlea warehouse fire. Credit: Northern Tasmania Emergency Media

Earlier: 12pm Tuesday, February 8

David Casteller, Launceston Fire Brigade’s Acting District Officer (Operations) said five crews would battle the blaze throughout the day and possibly into Wednesday.

The warehouse was full of “pulverised smaller particles” consisting of metal, plastics and rubbers, particularly from motor vehicles, Mr Casteller said.

Due to their quantity, crews were finding it “difficult” to access and control the fire, which was smouldering deep within the piles of material.

David Casteller, Acting District Officer (Operations) from Launceston Fire Brigade at the Recycal Rocherlea fire, 08/02/22. Picture: Alex Treacy

The material was also “easily combustible”, Mr Casteller said.

The point of ignition was still to be determined by officers.

Damage to the warehouse was “significant”, Mr Casteller said, although it remained standing.

Recycal staff were helping crews by providing machinery and manpower to assist with the ongoing operation.

A smoke alert remains, particularly for Launceston’s northern suburbs such as Rocherlea, Newnham and Mayfield.

Earlier: 8am Tuesday, February 8

Fire crews from North Tasmania continue to fight a blaze at a recycling facility where millions of dollars in damages has been reported.

Tasmania Fire Service crews from Launceston, Rocherlea, Ravenswood, Prospect, Dilston, Legana and Perth were called to the Recycal warehouse at 256 George Town Rd about 7:45pm to find a large amount of smoke billowing from the building around last night.

Rocherlea warehouse fire. Credit: Northern Tasmania Emergency Media

Rocherlea warehouse fire. Picture: Alex Treacy.

The fire continues to smoulder with Airport Rescue and fire fighting crews from Launceston Airport and Burnie fire Brigade called into waterbomb the blaze using small planes.

As of 8am about $9 million in damages had been reported – $2 million to the warehouse, and $7 million in product, with the amount expected to increase throughout the day.

Recycal chief executive Doug Rowe, based at the company’s Campbellfield headquarters in Melbourne, declined to comment.

A smoke alert has been issued to the Tamar Valley, Legana, Rocherlea, Mayfield, Newnham, Alan Vale and Greater Launceston Suburbs.

While there is no threat to the general public people who don’t need to be in the immediate area should stay away.

Authorities expect it will take the rest of the day to extinguish the blaze.

Rocherlea warehouse fire. Picture: Alex Treacy.

Illegal rock lobster fishing, Clifton

Monday, February 7

Two men from South East Tasmania will front court on multiple marine offences after they were allegedly caught illegally fishing in Frederick Henry Bay and Clifton.

Marine officers intercepted their dinghy at Cremorne Boat Ramp on Sunday morning following reports of suspicious activity around rock lobster pots.

Tasmania Police found a significant amount of rock lobster on board and following the search of a nearby property more animals were seized as evidence.

In total 14 rock lobsters, four pots and a 4.2 aluminium dinghy which is alleged to have been used as part of the offences was seized by authorities.

The pair, a 30-year-old from Howrah and a 20-year-old from Abels Bay will appear in court at a later date charged with taking excess rock lobster and using excess rock lobster pots.

In light of the incident Senior Constable Scott Williams reminded fishers to only use their own licenced pots, to adhere to regional possession limits and to mark the tails of rock lobster when they are caught.

“Fishers are encouraged to download the Tasmanian Sea Fishing Guide from the app store for information regarding fishing and fisheries rules in Tasmania,” he said.

Anyone with information about marine offences is being urged to contact Fishwatch on 0427 655 557.

Originally published as Injured climber rescued from iconic climb, the Candlestick