The Mount Mawson Ski Patrol and Oldina Ski Club volunteers were called to help at a medical emergency at Mt Field National Park today. A French tourist had collapsed in the snow while walking the snow gum track. He was brought into Oldina Ski Club to be warmed and the Mt Mawson Ski Patrol were called down from the ski fields to assist. A decision was made to evacuate him from the mountain by rescue helicopter, with a team of volunteers assisting in transporting him on the rescue sledge up to the Ski Fields where the helicopter was able to land. The helicopter arrived right on time, and the young bushwalker was whisked to the Royal Hobart Hospital as the evening closed in.
A big thanks to the crew of the Rescue Helicopter who responded to the call, to Ski Patrollers Andrew Davey, Liz Koolhof, Craig Larsson and Paul Vince who coordinated the rescue and patient support, and the Oldina Ski Club members who took the patient into their club and supplied bedding and dry clothes.
Ski Patroller Liz Koolhof attends patient prior to helicopter evacuation
Patient on the Ski Patrol rescue sledge outside the temporary PWS Public Shelter
Mt Mawson Ski Patrollers and Helicopter paramedic with patient
Hello everyone, on behalf of Baptiste, Elisia, Tate and myself we would like to pass on our very sincere thanks to all involved in yesterday’s events. It is hard to describe the roller coaster of emotions we went through yesterday afternoon. We felt for Baptiste who was trying to process everything from English to French while clearly being ‘out of it’. Can you imagine what we felt when having carried Baptitse through the snow with our 9 year old in tow for about 30 minutes, the first hut we came to had three medical students in it!?….and then one of them (Lachlan) spoke French! We were welcomed in to find a mattress, sleeping bag and blankets spread out ready for Baptiste with activity well underway to get a fire going. After getting him dry and the process of warming up who should walk but perfectly French speaking Snow Patrol volunteer Liz. Luck was with Baptiste yesterday afternoon!! Specialist Chris cut short his afternoon skiing to also come in watch over Baptiste and even took the opportunity to quiz Lachlan, Catherine and Sam on their medical observations. There were a number of people we met and I am sorry I cannot remember all of your names but please know that you have left us with lasting impression of a group of committed volunteers who showed real compassion, empathy and skill.
Our Thanks to all involved at Oldina and the Mt Mawson Ski Patrol.
Tim Short.