‘Extremely difficult’: Crews recount tricky six-hour operation to rescue injured hiker in Kalbarri National Park

A hiker has been rescued from Kalbarri National Park in a tricky six-hour operation authorities described as “extremely difficult”. The Kalbarri State Emergency Service unit was called out to the popular loop trail at 1pm on Thursday after family members of a 45-year-old woman called for help. Deputy Unit manager Phil Tuffin said the hiker was halfway into the 6km walk when rocks on the edge of the trail gave out from underneath her. “She fell about 1.5 metres down the ledge with a suspected broken ankle,” he said. “It was an extremely difficult rescue over rough terrain, we arrived about 4pm and it took three hours to carry her back to the carpark.” The conditions were very dangerous, it was raining the whole time and the terrain is rough with narrow walkways.” Luckily the Kalbarri SES unit had help in the rescue, receiving assistance from the Kalbarri Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Parks and Wildlife Rangers and Saint John Ambulance Paramedics. “The real highlight for us is the cooperation between all of these agencies, none of us could have done it alone,” Mr Tuffin said. Despite this, he said rescues were common off the popular trail — often a dozen or more a year. “This one was purely an accident, it could have happened to anyone, but often our rescues are people who aren’t properly prepared,” he said. “The National Park is stunning, but inhospitable, we encourage everyone to ensure they have adequate supplies.”