Police are once again urging bushwalkers and campers to be properly prepared for potential weather changes … and to carry EPIRBs for use in the event of an emergency.
The appeal follows the rescue of a bushwalker who endured freezing temperatures and strong winds while lost overnight near Cradle Mountain in Tasmania’s north-west.
Police said that the woman, who is from the Northern Territory, was lucky to be found this morning with the weather deteriorating and had only suffered minor injuries.
“The conditions here right now are fairly bad, and we’re expecting snow,” Inspector Shane Lefevre told the ABC. “So I can imagine last night she’s had a very uncomfortable night … she’s wet and cold and I think it’s very lucky that she was found this morning.”
Temperatures dropped to 3 degrees Celsius overnight and a top of only 5C is expected today.
After the woman raised the alarm using a satellite phone, police search and rescue teams were deployed late yesterday, along with SES volunteers, to search for the woman in freezing temperatures and strong winds. A search party found her shortly before 8am today
Police say that hikers should also always notify others of their intended route and return times.
