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American Tourist injured on Mt Beerwah |
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Written by Les Fawkes
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Monday, 09 August 2010 |
An
american tourist who has been in Australia for only four days “fell for
Australia” in a big way on Sunday August 8th, 2010 when he slid
approximately 40 meters down a steep section of Mount Beerwah in the
Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
He had to be treated and winched off by the AGL helicopter crew and other emergency service personnel.
The climber, whose name has not been released at this time suffered a compound fracture of his thigh and was airlifted to Royal Brisbane Hospital where he was admitted in a stable condition.
The walking track on Mt. Beerwah has been closed for over 18 months by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service because the track has been rated as dangerous.
There track is barricaded off and walkers have to walk around a physical barrier on the track and go past four "closed’’ signs to access the track.
Mount Beerwah is a difficult climb and much more difficult to descend.
The injured walker, aged 22 was one of a group of five people who were located in the prohibited area.
The remaining people in the group were assisted back down the mountain by SES volunteers.
A Queensland Fire and Rescue spokesperson who attended the scene said, “The reason the mountain is closed is because it’s dangerous . We have to go in and rescue hikers who don’t care about their own safety. It’s just stupidity.’’
An Emergency services spokesperson said that it is believed that it was the actions of the inexperienced climber that led him to fall from a 120 metre height, and not an instability in the climb. The spokesperson continued, "The man could have lost his life. He is extremely lucky to be alive.”
There is a $350 fine for disregarding the signs.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 September 2010 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
