Here’s a good news story. A group of high school students has been praised after helping rescue an injured hiker in Warrumbungle National Park in country NSW during a challenging outdoor expedition.
The students, from Presbyterian Ladies' College Armidale, were completing a four-day The Duke of Edinburgh's Award hike when they came across Thomas Wendland, who had broken his leg after slipping on the track.
Drawing on their outdoor education training, the Year 11 students quickly worked together to create a makeshift stretcher using tarp poles and a hammock. Despite already having spent three exhausting days hiking, they carried Mr Wendland for two hours to safety.
Student Stephanie Blake described the rescue as physically demanding. The group carefully coordinated their movements, counting down before lifting him together, then walking for short intervals before stopping to rest and rotate positions.
Their teamwork and determination ensured they could continue the difficult journey. Mr Wendland recalled hearing his leg snap and immediately realising he had seriously injured himself. After further aggravating the injury, he was relieved when the students and their teachers stepped in.
He praised their quick thinking and resourcefulness, describing their actions as remarkable and saying they immediately set to work finding a solution.
Read the full story here.