Tourist, 69, has to have leg amputated after crucial mistake at holiday hotspot
Tourist, 69, has to have leg amputated after crucial mistake at holiday hotspot
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A tourist who became “wedged like an hourglass” when he slipped and became trapped in rocks had to have his leg amputated, as rescuers worked to free him for nearly a whole day. The 69-year-old had been on a white water rafting trip in Tasmania, Australia, last year, when he had the accident. A huge rescue operation was launched as policer, paramedics and other emergency teams tried to free him.
After 20 hours the decision as made to amputate his broken leg to finally free him, and he was rushed to hospital. Now, after months of recovery, he has been allowed to go home to Lithuania. Department of Health Acting Secretary Professor Dinesh Arya said: “This gentleman experienced a life-changing ordeal in a country far from his home and family, and has made a steady recovery. Our frontline emergency services and acute hospital staff were faced with an extremely challenging situation and had to make difficult decisions to save the man’s life – putting their advanced skills, experience, and personal resilience to the test.
“This is a great example of a whole health system and cross-agency effort that has resulted in this man’s life being saved. I applaud every individual who played a part in the rescue, as well as all staff who have been providing acute and ongoing care to the patient at the Royal Hobart Hospital over the past few months.”.
Ace Petrie, a swift rescue technician in Tasmina, praised the man and his crew for their efforts during the tiring rescue. He told news.com.au: “His rafting crew had done a great job in securing him as best they could. He was sort of wedged, I would describe it like an hourglass, he had his knee trapped in the rocks in a deep section of that rapid.
