A man had to have his leg amputated after spending more than 20 hours among the rocks in a fast-flowing river.
The man, aged in his 60s, got his leg trapped between rocks at 2.30pm on Friday while rafting through the rapids in Tasmania’s Franklin River with a group of friends.
About an hour after he was first trapped, an emergency alert was sent from the international visitor’s smartwatch. Emergency services arrived shortly afterwards.
Rescue teams described the operation as ‘extremely challenging and technical’.
The man has since been taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition.
A Westpac rescue helicopter and ‘specialist resources’ were sent to help free the man.
These resources include paramedics, police, firefighters, Surf Life Saving Tasmania, State Emergency Service and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Several failed attempts were made to free him before officers decided to amputate his leg on Saturday.
A foreign man in his 60s had his leg amputated after becoming stuck between rocks in the Franklin River rapids, Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Rescuers said the leg had already deteriorated before they fixed it ‘difficult decision’ to stop.
“This rescue was an extremely challenging and technical operation, and an incredible effort over many hours to save the man’s life,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner Doug Oosterloo.
‘I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this operation under the most difficult circumstances.’