Tourist Recovers After Leg Amputation in Tasmania Rescue
A 69-year-old tourist is returning to Lithuania after undergoing leg amputation following a 20-hour rescue mission in Tasmania. He has been recovering at the Royal Hobart Hospital after the ordeal.
A tourist who underwent a leg amputation following a 20-hour rescue mission in Tasmania is now returning home to Lithuania after months of recovery in hospital.
The 69-year-old man had been engaging in white water rafting on the Franklin River with friends when an accident occurred on November 22 last year. He slipped on a rock, becoming trapped with his leg wedged between rocks and the flowing water.
A massive rescue effort that included dozens of police, paramedics, surf lifesavers, Rotor-Lift, and health services was initiated, taking an arduous 20 hours to secure the man’s release.
After several unsuccessful attempts to free him, the rescuers made the difficult decision to amputate his leg above the knee due to worsening health conditions.
Having recuperated at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) since the incident, the man recently had the opportunity to meet some of his rescuers before heading back to Europe.
Professor Dinesh Arya, Acting Secretary of the Department of Health, commented on the situation, stating that the patient’s ongoing recovery was remarkable considering the extraordinary circumstances he faced far from home.
“This gentleman experienced a life-changing ordeal in a country far from his home and family, and has made a steady recovery,” Professor Arya said.
He continued to praise the frontline emergency services and hospital staff for their exceptional work during this challenging rescue and recovery, highlighting their advanced skills and determination.
Constable Callum Herbert from Tasmania Police remarked on the severity of the rescue, noting it was one of the most intense situations he had encountered in the region. He described the complicated nature of the entrapment, emphasising the unfortunate necessity of the amputation.
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