CANYONING 15 July 2007 - Search and Rescue for Overdue Men, Blue Mountains, NSW
Peter Hodgkinson
Mountains, NSW
Two men set out to do Starlight canyon at Newnes on Sunday the 15th
July, (Starlight is classed as a moderate long day canyon with minimal
water, and is considered an ideal canyon during winter). The alarm was
raised when they had not returned by Monday lunchtime. With sub zero
temperatures, and snow forecast for the area, a quick response was
needed.
On the 17th July, local police and Polair did an initial
reconnaissance and found the vehicle. Search parties were made up of
Police, VRA, BWRS, Cave Rescue, NPWS, RFS, and Ambulance. Groups were
despatched to search the canyon from 3 sections (entrance, middle
section, and exit).
Voice contact with the overdue men was made at 12.30pm. A S.C.A.T
Paramedic swam up the canyon to the men and found them safe, and well
provisioned. They had pulled down their rope from the earlier abseil
and were caught out by a higher than expected water level, and decided
not to risk the narrow sided 30m swim in the very cold water.
By this time, other members of the rescue party had set up a haul line
to assist the men in the extraction from the canyon. Once they reached
the top (at around 3pm), the canyoners and rescue teams were airlifted
out. Both men were in good health when extracted from the canyon.
Comments -
Water levels in this canyon and many others are highly variable.
Canyoners are advised to research current water conditions, especially
in cold periods.
Excellent cooperation and radio communication between the various
rescue groups, proved invaluable on the day.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is in the process of
prohibiting access to Starlight Canyon during the winter to protect a
colony of rare bats. Up to 1000 large Bentwing Bats (Miniopterus
schreibersii oceanensis) live in the canyon and go into torpor (a
reduced physiological state like hibernation) in the colder months.
These bats are listed as vulnerable under both state and federal
legislation, and any disturbance while in torpor can threaten their
survival.
LEVEL 3 REPORT