A man has suffered life-threatening head injuries after falling from a ledge at a notorious waterfall and swimming hole popular with tourists.
Emergency services rushed to the scene Crystal Cascades, near Cairns in far north Queensland, to rescue a man who fell three metres down an embankment on Sunday afternoon.
The state fire service led a delicate rescue operation to save the seriously injured man, who was rushed to Cairns Hospital.
A department spokesperson confirmed that emergency services were able to place the man on a stretcher and carry him out of the densely populated area.
According to local residents, ambulances were on their way at the time of the incident.
Crystal Cascades is a series of swimming holes and waterfalls in Freshwater Creek, just a 20-minute drive from Cairns.
This popular tourist attraction has become notorious in recent years after several visitors lost their lives there.
Experts suggest posting warning signs for tourists who may be unaware of the dangers of the trails.
A man fights for his life after falling from a ledge at Crystal Cascades near Cairns
In March, a 20-year-old international student disappeared after jumping off a ledge into the water at Crystal Cascades and never resurfaced.
In April 2023, a father and son, aged 59 and 21, died after being found unconscious in the water at the falls.
An 18-year-old man died in 2014 after he slipped over the edge of the waterfall and never resurfaced.
RJ Houston, manager of Royal Life Saving, suggested placing signs along the trails to warn tourists of the dangers they could face.
The area has become notorious for a number of tourists who have injured themselves or died after falling off ledges
“Whether it’s putting up signs, rescue equipment, patrol services, we also have to consider that there are really significant costs if we don’t do those things,” Mr Houston said. told the ABC in March.
“We need to fully appreciate the benefits of safe operations in these locations, but also the costs associated with not creating a safer environment.”
Portions of Crystal Cascades were closed earlier this year following an assessment of water levels and associated risks and safety to the public.
The heavy rainfall caused high levels of fast-moving water to enter local water systems, increasing the risk of visitors slipping on rocks and being swept away, being injured by debris, or being trapped by submerged objects.