A 42-year-old woman and 22-year-old man have been rescued after getting lost while hiking in Namadgi National Park yesterday (Friday 7 June) afternoon.
About 1pm the pair left their vehicle after driving through Piccadilly Circus onto a dirt road, and walked into the forest. They had been hiking for approximately three hours before realising they were lost, and contacting ACT Policing.
A search for the hikers commenced, involving members from Woden patrol, Rural patrol, the Specialist Response Group and NSW Police. The hikers were able to give police a vague description of their whereabouts via mobile phone. However attempts to triangulate an exact position were unsuccessful.
As night fell, temperatures reached -3 degrees Celsius. A rescue helicopter with infra-red technology was brought in from Sydney to assist with the search. About 2am the hikers were located, and airlifted to The Canberra Hospital as a precautionary measure.
Acting Superintendent Steven Hogarth believes the hikers were extremely lucky to escape serious injury.
“At this time of year temperatures can plummet extremely quickly. Unprepared hikers run an enormous risk of serious injury or death when exposed to these elements”, Acting Superintendent Hogarth said.
“These two people are very fortunate to have been found so quickly in such a large area. Our members, with the assistance of NSW Police and the rescue helicopter did an outstanding job to rescue them safely”, he said.
When preparing for a bushwalk, always tell friends or family of your plans. Keep enough food and water with you, as well as clothing suitable for all conditions. Keep a fully charged mobile phone with you in case you get lost.
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