Another shocking bushwalking tragedy has led to questions being asked about how safe some trails are at the moment, given the recent deluges in many parts of the country.
Two people died and two others remain in a critical condition after a landslip yesterday in the NSW Blue Mountains.
Police said a 49-year-old man and a nine-year-old boy died while a woman and a second boy are in a critical condition after being treated at the scene on Wentworth Pass in Wentworth Falls. They reportedly suffered ‘significant head and abdominal injuries’.
The fifth hiker, believed to be a 15-year-old girl, left the scene uninjured and on foot with rescue team assistance.
Acting Superintendent John Nelson told the ABC that the group were bushwalking when they were crushed by falling rocks in a landslip.
“There were five people that were bushwalking, unfortunately there has been a landslip while they have been bushwalking,” he said. “Unfortunately, as part of that landslide there has been a man and a boy who have passed away.”
The family were understood to have been British holidaymakers.
The ABC reports that the popular hike is now under police guard, and questions are being asked about why it was open given recent heavy rains.
It has only been a few days since a man died after falling off a cliff while on a bushwalk in Tasmania. The 19-year-old was reportedly on a hike at Cape Deslacs at Clifton Beach south-east of Hobart when the accident happened. That incident prompted police to urge bushwalkers to always stick to marked tracks.
Our hearts go out to their families. The world famous Ultra Trail Australia is supposedly taking place in the Blue Mountains in mid May. This event attracts 1000s of participants and spectators. You would envisage the National Parks and Wildlife will reconsider the event after such a tragedy.
A tragic event for sure but there’s danger everywhere in the bush in many forms.
Don’t let something like this stop you from getting out there & enjoying it.