General News
19 January, 2023
Mass rescue effort
A massive multi-agency response from dozens of emergency service staff and volunteers swung into action to rescue a climber who had fallen in the Grampians. Volunteer crews were called from across the region to work alongside high-angle rescue teams...
A massive multi-agency response from dozens of emergency service staff and volunteers swung into action to rescue a climber who had fallen in the Grampians.Volunteer crews were called from across the region to work alongside high-angle rescue teams from VICSES Ararat, Horsham, and Stawell Units, as well as Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria Police and Country Fire Authority members from Laharum and Hamilton.The climber had sustained serious injuries after falling 15 metres on the Grampians Peak Trail at Hollow Mountain, Laharum.Rescue trucks and support vehicles raced to the scene, setting up a staging area at the car park before volunteer crews took off on a one-hour climb to reach the patient.An air ambulance helicopter was called in to winch the victim to safety, but the climber had fallen into a pit under the cliff face, making the use of a winch too dangerous.Volunteer crews and paramedics managed to extricate the patient using a system of ropes and a stretcher, to safely lift him past the sheer rock face from which he had fallen, and eventually into the air ambulance.VICSES Incident Commander Jordan Bush was full of praise for those involved.“The extrication of the patient was conducted by air ambulance but there were plans in place to conduct a high angle rescue of the patient, if they were unable, that required setting up extensive roping systems,” he said.Mr Bush said the dramatic operation, on January 3, served as a timely reminder for climbers and hikers to ensure they were prepared.“Research the area before you go, make sure you communicate your plans with a friend or family or take someone with you, and know your risks,” he said.“In this rescue, the patient had friends who played a significant part in getting him out safely, and who assisted emergency services throughout the incident.”