A man in his 60s underwent a leg amputation following a harrowing 20-hour rescue operation after becoming trapped in rocks during a kayaking trip. Medics deemed the procedure necessary to save his life as he remained partially submerged in dangerous waters.
Tourist Faces Life-Altering Situation During Kayaking Accident in Tasmania
Tourist Faces Life-Altering Situation During Kayaking Accident in Tasmania
A kayaking expedition in Tasmania turns into a critical rescue operation as a tourist's leg is amputated after getting trapped in a rock crevice in a raging river.
A sudden kayaking adventure in Tasmania led to a life-altering incident for an international tourist, who found himself trapped between rocks in a fast-flowing river, resulting in emergency responders making a critical decision to amputate his leg. The man, in his 60s, was kayaking with a group on the Franklin River when he slipped and fell into a rock crevice on Friday afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted after the tourist's smartwatch sent out a distress call from the remote and inaccessible area. Rescuers arrived, but after multiple attempts to free him while he remained partially submerged in the cold water throughout the night, it became evident that his survival was at stake. Tasmania Police stated that had the man remained stuck without assistance, he would likely not have survived the ordeal.
Doug Oosterloo, acting assistant commissioner at Tasmania Police, described the operation as complex and technical, noting that rescuers worked tirelessly for around 20 hours under challenging conditions. Initially, even though the tourist was well prepared for kayaking, he could not endure the harsh reality of being trapped in the harsh temperatures and the relentless torrent of water pressing against him.
The decision to amputate was made in consultation with the man, as it became crucial for his extraction from the dangerous situation. He is currently in critical condition at a hospital. The other ten members of the kayaking group were safely airlifted, and investigations will be conducted to understand the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident. According to Oosterloo, the tourist had been scouting the area when he slipped and fell, resulting in the tragic accident that unfolded on the river.
