Eight rescued on mountain, woman dies after being hit by falling tree in Beulah

Rescuers have been forced into action in harsh conditions to come to the aid of another walker trapped on kunanyi/Mt Wellington. SEE THE VIDEO >>>

UPDATE: Police have issued a stern warning to hikers urging them not to climb to the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington this long weekend, unless experienced and sufficiently prepared, after the third rescue in two days.

Search and rescue teams again today endured blizzard conditions tof Mt Wellington.

Police were called about 1pm and spoke with the Hobart woman who had hiked up the Zig Zag track, but was unable to return after it had become covered in snow.

The hiker was cold and wet and retreated to the observation shelter.

Police and Ambulance Tasmania members tackled high winds, freezing conditions, large snow drifts and icy conditions to reach her.

At 5:20pm she was escorted to a specialist rescue vehicle and received medical treatment. Thankfully she is expected to make a full recovery.

Senior Constable Callum Herbert from Tasmania Police search and rescue said police and emergency service workers were always ready to help those in need, but Tasmanians and visitors need to heed the warnings.

“For everyone’s safety, if you are going to Mt Wellington during this weather event, do not climb to the summit unless you are a genuinely experienced, prepared walker and are with a group of similar walkers,” he said.

EARLIER: Rescue crews are on their way to kunanyi/Mt Wellington after receiving a call from a woman in distress.

A short time ago Tasmania Police assistant commissioner Adrian Bodnar said there was another woman missing on the mountain following the rescue of eight people in blizzard conditions yesterday.

“I understand they’re in the vicinity of the summit,” Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said.

“They’ve been caught short in the blustery and wintry conditions up there, and now we’ve got search parties going in to find this particular lady.

“I understand she’s made contact with us by mobile phone.”

“Again, there’s another timely example of people getting out of the environment, perhaps not being as prepared as what they ought to be.”

EARLIER: Police say two people trapped in blizzard conditions on kunanyi/Mt Wellington, would almost have certainly have died had they not been rescued by emergency crews overnight.

The pair, who got lost a on the Zig Zag track about 7.30pm on Saturday were among eight people in two separate groups who were rescued on the mountain on Saturday.

“At approximately 7.30pm a pair of walkers became disorientated in heavy snow and blizzard like conditions on the Zig Zag track 400m from the summit and contacted emergency services,” police said in a statement.

Police used mobile phone technology to locate these walkers and a police and ambulance search party reached them at 10.30pm and found the pair sheltering behind rocks a short distance from snow-covered track.

Senior Constable Callum Herbert from Search and Rescue said the group was treated at the scene for exposure and were helped to safety by rescuers before being taken to hospital with cold-related injuries and hypothermia.

“The pair lost at night on the mountain did not find shelter and would almost certainly have perished if it wasn’t for the tenacity of the rescuers. They were very lucky,” Constable Herbert said.

Earlier rescue crews had helped a group of six others who were sheltering in a toilet block on the summit about 12.30pm.

A group of four became exposed to high winds and heavy snow at the Pinnacle,” police said in a statement.

“This group sought aid from another group of two and took refuge in the toilet block calling police for assistance. Police, ambulance and Wellington Park rangers walked through extreme winds and blizzard conditions to reach the group.

“This group was walked out to the Big Bend carpark and received further treatment from Ambulance Tasmania.”

Constable Herbert said people should heed warnings about walking on the mountain in such conditions.

“All people involved started today with the best intentions but ultimately some were not prepared for the extreme and variable conditions on the mountain,”. he said.

Saturday, June 11

A Tasmanian woman has tragically died after she was struck by a falling tree this evening.

Tasmania Police and emergency services were called to an incident at 5pm in Beulah after two people were struck by a falling tree on a private property and were trapped.

Both people were provided medical treatment at the scene, but a 54-year-old woman did not survive her injuries.

A 54-year-old man was taken to the Launceston General Hospital. His injuries are believed to be serious but not life-threatening.

“Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones,” Tasmania Police said in a statement.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.