A 60-year-old bushwalker has been rescued by helicopter after activating an emergency locator beacon while hiking the NT’s Larapinta Trail.
Police say the man became ill late on Saturday afternoon while on the trail west of Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
The ABC reports that emergency workers reached the man on Saturday evening and stayed with him overnight while a helicopter was chartered to enable a rescue to happen at first light.
He was airlifted to Standley Chasm early yesterday morning and then taken to Alice Springs Hospital by ambulance.
“The hiker had a personal locator beacon which he activated when he realised he was in trouble,” NT Police Senior Sergeant Michael Potts said. “This probably saved his life.”
Earlier this month a 22-year-old man died on the Larapinta Trail after he collapsed between Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap.
The ABC reports that, in the same week, emergency services were also called to assist two separate groups suffering from dehydration and heat stress.
“A number of hikers have suffered from heat stress recently and it is incredibly important that anyone heading out bush takes proper precautions, stays hydrated and is prepared for the unexpected,” said Senior Sergeant Potts.
I carry a Zoleo satellite communicator in our car when caravaning remotely, for that reason.
We wouldn’t travel without our Personal Location Beacon. Anyone who plans to be in any “of the beaten track” places is very foolish not to have one. At cost of around $300 it is a small price to pay to save your own life. Let alone the saving of rescuers time and expense if your location is unknown.
Part of my essential pieces of equipment in my opinion. In remote areas the person you save by activating the personal beacon maybe someone else, maybe you.
My protection is a Sat. phone and a Spot Gen 2, plus commonsense, it seems commonsense is not in average person anymore.