At 13.50 hours on Thursday 27 February 2014, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by Australian Search and Rescue to attend a PLB activation in the Du Cane Range area in the Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair national park.
A mobile phone call was then received from a party of 6 Victorian walkers, who had set off their PLB, requesting assistance for a 66 year old female walker who had been hit by a falling rock in the ankle and could not continue.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew to the area and located the party in Big Gun Pass, between Mount Geryon and Mount Massif. A rescue paramedic was dropped off at the hover and the injured walker was then winched with the paramedic to the helicopter and flown to Hobart where she received further medical attention.
The walking party were well equipped and very experienced, on the 7th of a 10 day trip around the Traveller Range and Du Cane Range.
- Rescue at hand above Big Gun Pass - Feb 2014
For the group, and especially the injured, I’d like to thank the Tasmanian Police Search and Rescue for their readiness, professionalism and efficiency. I’d also like to thank those who financially support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter – many lives are saved.
