Rescue attempt at Cradle Mountain as three hikers caught in the cold

UPDATE: Three people, believed to be Indian tourists suffering hypothermia, have been rescued after spending two nights in freezing conditions.

Search and rescue teams in an effort to rescue three injured walkers from Kitchen Hut in the Cradle Mountain area. Pictures: TASMANIA POLICE

UPDATE 9.45AM SUNDAY:

Three international visitors have been evacuated from Cradle Mountain after spending two nights in harsh conditions.

The walkers, suffering from hypothermia, were reached at 8.30am this morning with improved weather conditions allowing the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to access the area.

The tourists, believed to be from India and aged 45, 37 and 28, were taken to the Dove Lake car park where they were taken by ambulance to the Launceston General Hospital for treatment.

All emergency services are clear of the area.

Police said the incident was a reminder for those contemplating walking in remote areas of Tasmania that weather conditions are likely to change rapidly and without warning and to be prepared for all scenarios.

Police said without the assistance of other walkers who assisted the injured and carried emergency communication, the incident could have resulted in more serious injuries or fatalities.

UPDATE 6PM SATURDAY: THREE injured international tourists are set to spend another night in freezing conditions at Cradle Mountain after repeated attempts to rescue them failed on Saturday.

For the second successive day, inclement weather prevented the Westpac Rescue Helicopter from safely accessing the area to retrieve the international visitors, who are believed to be from India and aged 45, 37 and 28.

The tourists, who were reportedly suffering from hypothermia, remain stuck at Kitchen Hut on the Overland Track.

Police said the condition of the walkers was stable, but medical assessments had authorities concerned.

Inspector Shane LeFevre said land-based search and rescue teams were being assisted by additional police, ambulance and SES personnel.

Search and rescue teams in an effort to rescue three injured walkers from Kitchen Hut in the Cradle Mountain area. Pictures: TASMANIA POLICE

He said crews on the ground were adequately resourced for another night on the Overland Track and that medical attention was being provided to the injured.

Police said rescue efforts were ongoing until the parties were safely extracted from the area, which it was hoped would happen on Sunday with an improved weather forecast.

The rescue helicopter was being stationed at Devonport Airport in case of a break in the weather.

Authorities were first informed about the incident about 3.30pm Friday and launched a rescue effort.

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority aircraft was first deployed from King Island to provide input into weather conditions in the area.

The Westpac chopper then attempted to access Kitchen Hut, but had to turn back to Hobart due to the weather.

Two Parks and Wildlife rangers and other civilian walkers stayed with the injured walkers at Kitchen Hut until police and paramedics arrived about 9pm Friday night.

Tasmania Police search and rescue teams on the ground in the Cradle Mountain area. Picture: TASMANIA POLICE

Police said taking into account wind chill, temperatures could drop to as low as -7 degrees.

Inspector LeFevre said rescue efforts continued throughout today with several civilian walkers, who had initially assisted the injured walkers, escorted to safety in the afternoon.

He said the incident was a reminder for hikers to pay close attention to weather forecasts and properly prepare for extreme walking conditions in the state.

EARLIER: ATTEMPTS will be made today to airlift three visitors from India out of the Cradle Mountain wilderness after they got into trouble hiking and were forced to spend a cold night in shelter at the Kitchen Hut area.

Tasmania Police have praised the actions of Parks and Wildlife Rangers and other civilians who reached Kitchen Hut last night and provided assistance to the walking party after they raised an alarm that they were in difficulty.

About 3.30pm on Friday, the Canberra Joint Rescue Coordination Centre received A message from an inReach satellite enabled communications device. The message advised of three persons suffering from hypothermia on the Overland Track at Kitchen Hut in the Cradle Mountain area.

Police said the three persons are believed to be international visitors from India, aged 28, 37 and 45 years.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger Jet aircraft, dedicated to search and rescue missions, was deployed from King Island and provided direct input into weather conditions around the mountain.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was activated and travelled to Cradle Mountain but the weather conditions did not allow the helicopter access to Kitchen Hut.

Due to increasing inclement weather, the helicopter had to return to Hobart.

A land based search and rescue party involving three police search and rescue personnel and two Ambulance Tasmania wilderness paramedics set out from Dove Lake.

At the time, two Parks and Wildlife Rangers and other civilian walkers were with the three international walkers at Kitchen Hut and provided assistance until police and paramedics arrived about 9pm.

Tasmaina Police Inspector Shane LeFevre said; “Hikers must pay close attention to weather forecasts and take appropriate precautions; prepare fully for the extreme walking conditions of Tasmania…even in summer; preferably carry an EPIRB at all times and if not prepared - delay their walk.”

Western Search and Rescue officers will make additional attempts to enter the area today and evaluate the potential to extract the party of walkers.