Kayaker search and rescue operation near Goulburn. The Hume PD, Facebook.
A group of kayakers were rescued from a river near Goulburn yesterday afternoon (11 June) after a multi-agency search and rescue operation.
On Saturday (7 June), six men began downstream kayaking on the Shoalhaven River, entering the water at Oallen Ford, with plans to arrive at Bungonia State Recreation Area, near the Bee Box Track exit, on Monday (9 June).
However, at about 1 pm on Monday, a personal locator beacon was activated near Spa Road, Windellama, approximately 40 km southeast of Goulburn after the group failed to reach their pre-positioned vehicles.
Officers from the Hume Police District responded and established a command post at the Windellama Hall, setting up a search team made up of the NSW Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, POLAir, Toll Helicopters, SES and NSW Ambulance.
At about 4:30 pm, the group was located at a remote location in a step-sided gorge, unable to go up or down river.
The Toll helicopter winched NSW Ambulance critical care paramedics into the location, retrieving four males, aged 51, 59, 60 and 64 and taking them back to the command post.
The men were treated at the command post for minor injuries and exposure.
NSW SES were among six agencies involved. The Hume PD, Facebook.
Due to darkness, two critical care paramedics were winched in, where they camped overnight with the remaining two men.
At about 10:50 am on Tuesday (10 June), the two men, aged 52 and 26 were winched from the Shoalhaven River to Windellama. Neither of the men were injured.
The Hume Police District Superintendent Linda Bradbury said this is a timely reminder of the need to carry a personal locator beacon.
“The group of kayakers had the necessary equipment to support their trip and had notified friends of their plans. The location they found themselves in was extremely remote and had they not been carrying a personal locator beacon, the outcome could have been devastating,” Supt Bradbury said.
“We thank all of the emergency service agencies for their contribution during the search and rescue operation and remind anyone heading out to engage in adventure sports, that they check the conditions, make sure they are wearing suitable clothing and carrying sufficient supplies, check the weather conditions and most importantly carry a personal locator beacon – which in this case, was life-saving.”
