Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has lashed out at the “stupidity” of 18 walkers who required rescuing from Hobart’s kunanyi/Mt Wellington overnight.
The large group, including three children, became stranded on the mountain on Monday night as temperatures plummeted below zero.
“We cannot afford to have any resources diverted simply because of people’s stupidity of not heeding those warnings,” Rockliff said.
“Thankfully, local government supported that rescue when our SES personnel and others were out supporting other communities.”
Tasmania Police Southern Commander Jason Elmer said the Premier’s description of the walkers as ‘stupid’ was “quite accurate”.
“I would have thought that the weather conditions were quite obvious regardless of the numerous alerts that went out in relation to the weather,” Elmer said.
“All sorts of things could have happened, [it was] incredibly dangerous.”
The City of Hobart team spent five hours rescuing the two groups of walkers (13 and 5 respectively) who were reportedly unprepared for the harsh weather conditions.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds praised the city workers for their efforts in “tough conditions” but stressed the importance of personal responsibility.
“It’s vital to remember that we can’t guarantee successful rescues every time,” she said.
“kunanyi/Mt Wellington is a wild alpine environment and the weather can change rapidly.”
The Mayor urged walkers to be fully prepared before heading out and to reconsider their plans if they have any doubts about the conditions.
“If you’re in any doubt about the conditions, don’t take the risk,” she said.
According to the city council, it felt like minus 21 degrees Celsius at the summit last night.
They advise walkers to bring warm and waterproof clothing, hiking shoes, a fully charged mobile phone, a map and food and water.
