A kayaking trip in Tasmania turned tragic for a tourist in his 60s who became trapped between rocks and had to undergo a life-saving amputation after rescuers struggled for 20 hours to free him.
Tourist Rescued After Severe Injury in Tasmania Kayaking Accident
Tourist Rescued After Severe Injury in Tasmania Kayaking Accident
A tourist endured a life-threatening situation, resulting in a leg amputation, while kayaking on Tasmania's Franklin River.
A tourist experience turned disastrous last week when a man in his 60s found himself trapped in a rock crevice on the Franklin River in Tasmania during a kayaking excursion. The situation escalated quickly into a life-threatening emergency, compelling rescue teams to make the harrowing decision to amputate one of his legs to save his life.
Emergency services launched an extensive and complex rescue operation after the tourist's smartwatch sent a distress signal, alerting authorities to his dire predicament. As the man lay partially submerged in frigid waters for nearly 20 hours, medics assessed his condition and determined that remaining stuck in the crevice would have been fatal.
"Given the circumstances, we had no choice but to take decisive action," said Doug Oosterloo, acting assistant commissioner at Tasmania Police. The tourist was well-equipped for his outing, yet no level of preparation could account for the hazards he encountered once he fell while scouting the area.
While his fellow kayakers were airlifted to safety, police are also investigating to gather insights into the incident and ensure that future kayaking adventures proceed with increased caution. The injured man, now in critical condition, serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of outdoor activities and the importance of safety measures in remote areas.
