HOBARTcTypeface:> A tourist in Tasmania has had his leg amputated in the middle of a raging river after getting trapped between rocks during a kayaking trip with friends.
Medics said they made the “life or death” decision in consultation with the international visitor during a complex rescue on the Franklin River lasting some 20 hours.
The visitor in his 60s was partially submerged in water throughout the ordeal, and rescuers said it was clear that “had he remained in the location where he was, and trapped in the rock crevice he would not have survived”.
Multiple attempts to move him prior to the amputation were unsuccessful, police in the Australian island state said. The tourist was kayaking with a group in the south-west of Tasmania when his leg got stuck between rocks in an area of rapids on Friday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to the remote and inaccessible area after the man’s smartwatch called for assistance. After a number of unsuccessful attempts were made to free the man overnight, the decision was made to amputate his leg. (Agencies)
