THE Snowy Hydro SouthCare rescue helicopter performed a daring rescue of a woman with badly broken leg near Horse Head Rock on Saturday morning.
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The helicopter had to land on a narrow beach at the base of the cliffs directly below Murunna Point, between the Wallaga Lake entrance and Camel Rock.
The 26-year-old woman from the ACT fell after attempting to negotiate the cliffs after walking in from the Wallaga Lake boardwalk.
Police said she jumped down off a 2.5-metre ledge at the base of the cliffs at around 11.30am, slamming her leg on a rock causing a nasty double compound fracture of her lower right leg.
Members of the Narooma and Bega Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) assisted four local Ambulance paramedics and their supervisor, who responded and were able to reach the woman through the land managed by National Parks for the local Aboriginal land council.
Also responding were police from Narooma and Bermagui and members of the Bermagui Rural Fire Service brigade.
Narooma VRA member Steve Urquhart said due to the severity of the injury it was decided not to attempt to stretcher her back up the cliff.
Instead the Snowy Hydro SouthCare chopper was called in.
The mission to Camel Rock was tasked after 12.34pm and Snowy Hydro SouthCare reached the scene at 1.24pm.
The patient arrived at The Canberra Hospital at 2.27pm where she underwent surgery and is recovering.
The Snowy Hydro SouthCare chopper pilot performed a daring manoeuvre landing gently on the narrow beach, staying at the controls as the quick transfer of patient from the Ambulance paramedics took place.
The chopper pilot had to keep an on eye on the water while there was also a sea breeze to contend with, Urquhart said.
He praised the efforts of all the paramedics, pilot and Bermagui police officer Senior Constable Angela Bennett who all assisted with the rescue in difficult circumstances.
Busy weekend for rescue chopper
The highly trained rescue crew of the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter service was extremely busy over the weekend – carrying out seven missions.
These missions included four primary missions on Saturday including; one involving a motor vehicle accident in Wagga, the fall from a remote cliff at Bermagui, an accident in Merimbula where Snowy Hydro SouthCare met Ambulance services in Bega and the retrieval of a young patient from Carabost near Tumbarumba all to the Canberra Hospital.
On Sunday three secondary missions were performed from Cootamundra, Queanbeyan and Calvary Hospital.
“These missions over the weekend show the versatility of the Snowy Hydro SouthCare rescue helicopter,” Snowy Hydro SouthCare chief executive Owen Finegan said.
“What is important is that patients receive medical attention swiftly and that is where Snowy Hydro SouthCare plays a vital role.
“A helicopter is an optimal rescue vehicle because it can travel to remote areas inaccessible by road – and can do so over any type of terrain, land or sea. With an experienced crew consisting of a pilot, crewman, doctor and paramedic on every flight the patients are ensured the highest quality of care.”
The Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter relies on the ongoing support of the community.
Last financial year saw the service perform over 500 missions. With 466 missions on board, the Snowy Hydro Southcare Rescue Helicopter and 74 road retrievals completed throughout the year.
