An international visitor who became trapped under rocks on Tasmania’s remote west coast has had to have his leg amputated so he could be freed.
The man in his 60s was packrafting the Franklin River with a group of friends when his leg became wedged between rocks in an area of rapids at around 2.30pm on Friday.
Tasmania Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Doug Oosterloo said the man is alive but in a critical condition following the “complex and protracted” rescue operation over more than 20 hours.
“This rescue was an extremely challenging and technical operation and an incredible effort over many hours to save the man’s life,” he said.
“Every effort was made to extract the man before the difficult decision to amputate his leg.”
Several attempts were made to free the man on Friday evening and overnight but were unsuccessful, leaving him partly submerged in the river.
A medical team remained with him for the duration of the operation before a further attempt to extract him on Saturday morning was undertaken.
“A medical assessment determined the patient’s condition was deteriorating,” Oosterloo said.
“In consultation with the patient, the decision was made to amputate his leg to facilitate his rescue.”
“The operation was successfully undertaken by the medical team, with the aid of specialist equipment.”
Once free, the man was airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
“The professionalism and commitment of all emergency responders is to be commended,” Oosterloo said.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this operation in the most difficult of circumstances.”
Earlier: A “complex” search and rescue mission is unfolding on Tasmania’s west coast this morning for a man who is trapped by rocks.
The alarm was first raised at 3:30pm on Friday by a Garmin satellite inReach device.
Emergency services and specialist resources, including the rescue helicopter, have been managing the incident in the Franklin River for over 16 hours.
Police say the man’s upper leg remains trapped, leaving him unable to move and in a precarious position in the river.
They say he has remained in the water overnight.
A search and rescue jet from Melbourne has flown over to assist with the operation, circling an area of around 95 square kilometres south-west of Frenchmans Cap.
A rescue helicopter arrived at the scene at 9:45am on Saturday.
