It happened in Australia. Lithuanian citizen was exploring the Franklin River in Tasmania when he slipped and fell into a crevasse
A Lithuanian tourist who was kayaking with friends in Franklin River in Tasmania, Australia He was seriously injured when his left leg got stuck in rocks. Due to the severity of the accident, it was necessary to amputate the limb on site.
The man, aged in his 60s, was exploring the area when he slipped and fell into a rock crevice. An alert from his smartwatch triggered rescue and rescue teams, and the distance, difficult access to the area and language barrier made the operation complex.
After 20 hours of rescue operation and with the man’s health condition worsening, the authorities, together with the medical team, made the difficult decision to amputate his leg at the knee as the only alternative to save his life and transport him to a hospital.
“This rescue was an extremely challenging and technical operation, and an incredible effort lasting many hours to save the man’s life,” Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Oosterloo told .
“Every effort was made to extract the man before making the difficult decision to amputate his leg,” he added.
Ace Petrie, an experienced swift water rescue technician with Surf Life Saving Tasmania, was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the accident and explained that he found the man submerged chest down. Petrie described the position as if the man was trapped in an hourglass shape, with his knee wedged between rocks.
The man was transported by helicopter to Royal Hobart Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
Located in the heart of Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, the Franklin River is a paradise for nature and extreme sports lovers. With its 129 kilometers in length, it is also known for the strength of its waters.
