Bushwalker rescued from Overland Track after icy river fall
Thank god she was carrying a PLB
A highly experienced Tasmanian bushwalker has described the dramatic chain of events that led to her helicopter rescue from the Overland Track after she fell into an icy river during severe weather.
Fiona Weaver, who runs an adventure tourism business in southern Tasmania with her husband, had set out to complete the iconic 65km trail alone after a friend was forced to cancel at the last minute. Despite hiking solo, she was well prepared, carrying an emergency locator beacon, six days of supplies and planning to meet another friend later on the track.
The trip took a turn on the second day when heavy rain swept across the track, prompting Ms Weaver to reconsider her plans. After conditions improved the following morning, she continued, making her way through the Forth River Valley where she encountered extensive park maintenance works.
Later that day, disaster struck when she slipped from a wooden crossing and plunged into an icy river, becoming separated from her backpack.
Submerged in around 45 centimetres of freezing water, Ms Weaver relied on her experience to stay calm. Wearing a torch on her wrist, she spent 10 minutes searching unsuccessfully for her pack before assessing herself for injuries and making the difficult journey back to New Pelion Hut.
Cold, exhausted and soaked through, she found the hut without lighting and its heater out of action. After changing into dry clothes stored in a waterproof bag and wrapping herself in an emergency blanket, she activated her emergency locator beacon.
Around 12 hours later, the distinctive sound of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter signalled the end of her ordeal, with Ms Weaver later expressing profound gratitude to the rescue crew who brought her safely home.
Read the full ABC story here.
