Lynette Bond attracts the attention of rescuers. PIC: Police media
A 68-year-old woman has been rescued after being stranded for four days in a remote area of Victoria’s Snowy River National Park, some 350km east of Melbourne.
Lynette Joyce Bond was winched to safety yesterday after a rescue helicopter spotted the word “help” written in sand on the banks of the Snowy River.
Her vehicle had earlier been found abandoned with a note left saying she had broken down on Deddick Trail days before.
“Gone for help to McKillops Bridge 2.45pm 3/4 Lynette,” the note on the car read.
Some of the Mornington woman’s belongings were later found on the track, prompting local police, search-and-rescue officers, State Emergency Service volunteers, bushwalkers and the police air wing to scour the area.
“Air wing members spotted the woman on the banks of Snowy River, where she had written the word ‘HELP’ in the sand,” Victoria Police spokeswoman Leonie Johnson said.
Ms Bond was taken to hospital for a check-up and last night was said to be doing well.
The Australian newspaper said police air wing video shows Ms Bond – wearing a red top and black jacket – lying on the ground with a backpack on, waving a hiking stick in the air and making a “sand angel” movement.
The road where Ms Bond’s car was found is said to be unsuitable for caravans, trailers and semi-trailers due to its long, narrow and steep descent down to McKillops Bridge, which crosses the Snowy River near Deddick River. It is believed there was no mobile phone reception either.
Comment below.
Glad Joyce was found safe and well. She sounds like she did most things right after she became stuck.
In this day and age a person like Joyce should have carried an EPIRB or Sat Phone, especially as Government subsities are available for Sat Phs.to people who travel in remote araes.
Glad she was found safe. As with boating accidents ”stay with your vessel & you’ll be spotted sooner”, she should’ve stayed with her vehicle. We know the area well & it’s a very popular area, no worries about eventually being found.