Rescue chopper kept busy as walkers return to remote tracks
Lost and injured bushwalkers kept rescuers busy over the long weekend, prompting police to remind wilderness lovers heading into remote and risky areas to be prepared.
Tasmania
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RESCUERS were kept busy over the long weekend as a lifting of pandemic restrictions and fine weather saw keen bushwalkers return to remote tracks.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was deployed to four incidents on Saturday and Sunday.
“It was like a busy summer weekend after quiet times due to COVID-19 restrictions,” Senior Constable Josh Peach said.
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At 1pm on Sunday, the helicopter was sent to the Mount Direction Conservation Area at Risdon to winch a 64-year-old woman with a possible broken leg to safety.
Two hours later, the helicopter flew to Legacy Beach at Conningham, where another woman with a broken leg needed to be rescued.
On Saturday, an EPIRB was detected by AUSAR and the helicopter, which was returning to Hobart after conducting a mission in Launces-ton, was diverted to Lake Burbury on the state’s west coast.
The EPIRB had been activated by 33-year-old man who had become lost.
The bushwalker had planned to walk to the Fincham Hut on the Fincham Track but he lost his mobile phone which held his maps of the area.
“These three bushwalkers were well prepared and, while they encountered difficulties, they made our job easier by either having a beacon or a mobile phone to give clear directions about their locations,” Senior Constable Peach said.
“If you are embarking into a remote area it is important to have a beacon and a mobile phone, the right gear, and to keep an eye on weather conditions before heading off.”
At last light on Saturday, police received a call from a concerned relative of a group of four adult bushwalkers lost in the Leven Canyon area.
A search and rescue team was mobilised, but the lost walkers emerged from the bush before it deployed.
“The group had no warm clothing, wet weather gear, or food, and were ill equipped for an extended walk and/or an overnight walk,” police said.
The group had intended to walk part of the Penguin to Cradle Trail.
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