A visitor in his 60s had a leg amputated after a 20-hour rescue operation in the Franklin River, where he became stuck between rocks. Rescuers made the critical choice to amputate to save his life.
**Tourist Rescued in Tasmania After Leg Amputation Following Dangerous Incident**
**Tourist Rescued in Tasmania After Leg Amputation Following Dangerous Incident**
A tourist in Tasmania underwent a leg amputation after becoming trapped in a river during a kayaking excursion with friends.
The incident occurred on Friday when the man, while scouting the area, slipped into a rock crevice in a rapid section of the river. Emergency services were alerted by his smartwatch, prompting a rapid response to the remote location. Despite attempts to free him, his situation worsened, leading to the life-saving decision of amputation.
Rescuers stated that prolonged exposure in the cold water was life-threatening, and onlookers noted that the man was partially submerged for hours. Doug Oosterloo, acting assistant commissioner at Tasmania Police, revealed the extensive efforts made by emergency teams to rescue the tourist. The group he was with, consisting of 10 other travelers, was also evacuated from the river site. Police plan to conduct interviews with them to understand the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.
Oosterloo emphasized that although the kayaker was well-prepared, no one could have anticipated the severity of the situation once he became trapped. The man is presently in a critical condition in the hospital, underscoring the dangers of adventure activities in treacherous conditions.
Rescuers stated that prolonged exposure in the cold water was life-threatening, and onlookers noted that the man was partially submerged for hours. Doug Oosterloo, acting assistant commissioner at Tasmania Police, revealed the extensive efforts made by emergency teams to rescue the tourist. The group he was with, consisting of 10 other travelers, was also evacuated from the river site. Police plan to conduct interviews with them to understand the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.
Oosterloo emphasized that although the kayaker was well-prepared, no one could have anticipated the severity of the situation once he became trapped. The man is presently in a critical condition in the hospital, underscoring the dangers of adventure activities in treacherous conditions.
