Award win for our lifesavers

THE bravery and lifesaving skills of two Tasmanian teams have been recognised on the national stage at the Australian Search and Rescue Awards.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew and police rope specialists involved in a 12-hour mission at the Totem Pole won the professional award, while a group of five bystanders who assisted a seriously injured woman at Parsons Fall took out the nonprofessional category.

Senior Constable Chris Williams, Constable Phil Vanderwal, Ambulance Tasmania intensive care flight paramedic Emily Byers and Rotorlift pilot Chris Fahey were among eight crew members recognised for their outstanding efforts in the rescue of a 26-year-old climber on February 11.

The man had suffered multiple spinal fractures, broken ribs and a broken ankle while attempting to cross from the Totem Pole sea stack back to Cape Hauy.

A team of four specialist search and rescue climbers were called in and worked through the night to move the man from a narrow rock ledge 45m down the Totem Pole to a cliff top where he could be safely winched into the helicopter.

A total of 18 winches were used by the helicopter crew who, together with the four rescue personnel, were exposed to extremely challenging conditions.

“The wind was increasing and the daylight was decreasing,” Senior Constable Williams said. “In a location that’s not accessible, the guys did a fantastic job.

“The man has recovered quite well, and I believe he’s back climbing again.”

Tasmanians Athol Beer, Stewart Geard, Craig Neville, Anita Denholm and Kade Wooldrage were recognised for the rescue of a 45-year-old Devonport woman who fell from the top of Parsons Falls, near Lake Mackenzie, on April 21. The five members of the public provided significant lifesaving assistance to the woman before the arrival of emergency services.