BUSHWALKING 15th February 2007 - Broken leg, Eastern Arthur's, Tasmania
Peter Hodgkinson
Tasmania
At 7.30am on February 15th, one of a group of 4 trekkers walking to
Federation Peak via the Eastern Arthur's fell and broke his leg. He
was given first aid and placed in a tent set up on a small rocky
saddle, about 15 minutes from Goon Moor. Two of the group decided that
they had no option but to trek back to Scotts Peak Dam as fast as they
could and raise the alarm.
At about 11.30 am the two trekkers met two bushwalkers about halfway
up Luckman's Lead. The trekkers were very thankful to find that the
bushwalkers had a QBW EPIRB, which they activated. The two bushwalkers
continued on towards the accident site, whilst the two trekkers
continued on to Scotts Peak Dam.
At about 5.00pm the Police rescue helicopter located the EPIRB signal
and winched a medic down to render assistance. The victim, his friend,
and all the groups' packs were winched into the helicopter and flown
to Hobart Airport. They were then transferred via ambulance to the
Calvary Hospital. The victim had sustained a serious "spiral fracture"
that required the placement of a steel rod in the tibia.
The two trekkers arrived at Scotts Peak dam 15 hours after leaving the
accident site. They rang 000 but were relieved to find that their
friend was safe in hospital.
LEVEL 3 REPORT