New Norfolk man evacuated from Overland Track

A police officer photographing the Westpac Rescue Helicopter
at the Overland Track this morning.

A BUSHWALKER has been evacuated from the Overland Track in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park after a medical emergency overnight. The 50-year-old New Norfolk man has been taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment.

First-Class Constable David Fitzgerald of Tasmania Police said the alert was raised at 7.44pm yesterday, when police were notified that a man at the Waterfall Valley Hut was experiencing chest pain. The rescue helicopter was sent to the scene but was unable to land due to inclement weather.

"Two land search and rescue parties were dispatched containing specialist police search and rescue along with two wilderness paramedics from Ambulance Tasmania," Constable Fitzgerald said. Arriving at the hut around 2.30am today, the emergency service crews found that the man was having cardiac difficulties.

Waterfall Valley Hut.

The man was stabilised to await transport from the scene later in the morning and at about 7.30am he was evacuated from Waterfall Valley by helicopter and taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment. “Police would like to thank members of the public for their assistance in this matter,” Constable Fitzgerald said.

The Overland Track is a popular 65-82km bushwalking route from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. The Waterfall Valley campsite will be upgraded this summer, with the replacement of the existing hut.