DFES chief calls on weekend warriors to be better prepared as rescue services are stretched to the limit

Department of Fire and Emergency Services chief Wayne Green has called on Albany’s holiday makers and weekend warriors to be better prepared for the great outdoors after five incidents in two days stretched rescue services to the limit. On Easter Monday, a female hiker fell down a ravine at Stony Hill trail in Torndirrup National Park, needing help from the RAC rescue helicopter and 16 State Emergency volunteers from Albany and Mt Barker, plus Albany firefighters. As she was being hoisted out of the ravine, the helicopter was called to another incident when a paraglider was in trouble in the water at Shelley Beach. Members of the public managed to get the paraglider out of the water, allowing the helicopter to stay with the Stony Hill victim in what Supt Green said was “an extremely complex rescue”. The paraglider walked off the beach before being taken to Albany Health Campus. On Sunday, DFES received a call reporting a hiker on Bluff Knoll could not walk down after injuring an ankle while two more Bluff Knoll adventurers also dialled emergency services on Tuesday, in separate incidents. On Tuesday, DFES were considering using the helicopter for a man in his 20s, while St John attended a woman in her 30s who felt faint half an hour from the carpark. In addition to incidents attended by State emergency services, people around the Great Southern reporting seeing hair-raising events over the weekend that stopped just short of becoming something more serious. Witnesses at Salmon Holes on Monday saw a fisherman washed off the rocks and struggle to reach friends on the beach despite wearing a lifejacket. “He was probably in the water about two minutes, and he made several attempts to get back on the main rock where he was fishing, but the waves washed him back in again,” Britney Gonzales told the Advertiser. “The ranger came down the beach to talk to him and his friends. “The guy seemed quite shaken and left shortly afterwards with his friends.” Bianca McAuliffe wrote on Facebook that she witnessed a near-drowning at Lowlands on Saturday. “Two young blokes from Perth slipped down the rocks then struggled against the rip,” she wrote. “Our coastline is incredible but needs to be respected.” Acting chief Supt Green said it was important to take care when venturing into tough terrain and to be prepared for steep cliffs, unstable paths and temperamental weather. “Accidents can happen to the most experienced people so make sure you know your capabilities and are well prepared in case something goes wrong,” he said. “Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to get back so they can alert authorities if you don’t return on time.” He thanked the SES volunteers, career firefighters and first responders who turned out in force.