The Roma-based LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) helicopter winched an injured hiker and her two companions from a remote national park in the Maranoa region on Sept. 8.
The rescue chopper was tasked to the area, northwest of Roma, around 11 o’clock in the morning. It is believed the three women were on the third day, of a six day hike, when one of them suffered a lower-leg injury.
The trio set off a personal locator beacon (PLB) to raise the alarm. The LifeFlight SGAS crew was able to zero in on the signal and fly directly to where the injured woman was located.
A LifeFlight critical care flight paramedic was initially winched down to the scene to assess the patient.
After it was determined that she would not be able to walk out, the LifeFlight SGAS crew hoisted the woman – accompanied by the LifeFlight paramedic – up to the chopper.
The patient, aged in her twenties, was flown to Roma Hospital in a stable condition.
A short time later, the LifeFlight SGAS chopper returned to the national park and winched the remaining two hikers out, one at a time.
The helicopter flew the women to a base camp at the start of the walking track.
The LifeFlight SGAS helicopter performed the mission, as part of the SGAS partners’ commitment to assisting in providing the south west region and beyond, with community aeromedical coverage, by donating 150 flying hours each year.
This press release was prepared and distributed by LifeFlight Australia.
