An elderly hiker in Herolds Bay had to be airlifted to safety after getting stuck on a cliff on Sunday morning [June 21]. The hiker, a local 65 -year-old man, was part of a hiking party who had been enjoying the activity on a Herolds’ Bay shoreline East of the Malgas River and West of Herolds Bay.
Garth Dominy, NSRI Wilderness station commander said, the hiker got stuck on a cliff and was unreachable by his fellow hikers.
“A large crevasse and boulders separated them from the man who had climbed to where they could not reach him and he was unable to go any further and he was unable to return to them from where he was on a cliff,” said Dominy.
One of the hikers made his way out of the area to find signal and called NSRI Wilderness for help. The duty crew were activated at 10.48am on Sunday. WC Government Health EMS rescue were also activated and the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was placed on alert.
“The sea rescue craft Spirit of Rotary was launched and our NSRI sea rescue vehicle towed the sea rescue craft Clemengold Rescuer which was launched at Herolds Bay,” said Dominy. “On our sea rescue craft arriving on the scene, in an incoming tide, an NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed into the surf from our sea rescue craft and he swam ashore and he was able to hike and climb to the man and on reaching the casualty found him to be cold, tired and anxious.”
“An EMS rescue commander was transported to the scene onboard one of our sea rescue craft to evaluate rescue extrication options and with the incoming high tide, with sea conditions and swells rising, EMS made the decision to extricate the man by helicopter.”
NSRI also dispatched a second NSRI rescue swimmer who swam through the surf to the shore carrying blankets and supplies. The second swimmer used the supplies and equipment to make the man more comfortable and keep him warm while he waited to be airlifted.
The man was secured into a harness, hoisted into the helicopter and airlifted to a landing zone that had been established at the nearby old George shooting range. Once he was safe and out of danger, he was reunited with his fellow hikers and no further assistance was required.
Picture: NSRI
