MACKAY CHOPPER WINCHES INJURED HIKERS FROM TOWNSVILLE WATERFALL
May 13, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RACQ CQ Rescue has winched two hikers to safety after they were injured in a serious fall at a popular waterfall near Townsville.
The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was tasked about 1.30pm to fly to Alligator Creek, about 350km north, after a 000 call was received from the injured couple.
The two hikers, a man and woman believed to be local and aged in their 20s, had fallen down Alligator Creek waterfall about 30km south of Townsville. It is believed the man slipped in the wet conditions and fell about 15 metres down rocks before slamming into a tree. The woman, who was attempting to make her way down the slippery rock face to assist the injured man, then also fell but managed to grab onto the same tree to break her fall. Fortunately, they were able to make a 000 call for help.
RACQ CQ Rescue landed at a staging area on private property about 5km from the accident scene at Alligator Creek about 2.40pm, just as firefighters reached the injured pair on foot having walked for an hour up steep and slippery rock faces in the rain to find the injured pair.
RACQ CQ Rescue winched a paramedic and rescue crewman down into the heavily wooded area at the scene and was able to secure the injured man, who suffered only serious cuts and bruises, into an Air Rescue Vest (ARV). He was then winched up into the helicopter with the rescue crewman and flown back to the staging area to be met by ambulance officers.
The helicopter quickly refuelled before returning to the waterfall site where firefighters, ambulance officers and the RACQ CQ Rescue paramedic and rescue crewman then secured the injured woman into a stretcher and carefully transferred her about 10 metres down a rocky cliff face to a clearing where she could be safely winched into the helicopter.
She was then flown to Townsville Hospital with neck and shoulder pain as well as cuts and bruises, arriving in a stable condition about 5.30pm.
It is believed the Townsville rescue service, which is fully funded by the government, was on another mission hence the Mackay community-funded rescue helicopter was tasked.
RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Ian Rowan said CQ Rescue was the region’s lifeline 24/7, whatever the illness or injury.
“Whether it's a remote cattle property, a workplace incident or a motor vehicle accident, our crew and helicopter are available 24/7 across Central and North Queensland to help save lives.”
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Please credit any released photos and video footage to RACQ CQ Rescue.
Please note: Full title of rescue service is RACQ CQ Rescue.
For further information please contact:
Naomi Noy
RACQ CQ Rescue
Ph: 0417 578 182