Media release

Rescue – Litchfield National Park

Emergency Service

Northern Territory Emergency Service undertook a vertical rescue in Litchfield National Park yesterday when a 17-year-old youth fell several metres down a cliff face.

Police were alerted by Parks and Wildlife that a young man had fallen from Florence Falls and was stuck about half way down.

Ten NTES volunteers and staff from Darwin and Palmerston were mobilised, and staff from the local health clinic attended to assess the youth’s condition.

NTES Manager Northern Command, Mark Cunnington said, “The team was able to retrieve the young man through a vertical rescue. CareFlight and Health staff had assessed, treated and packaged the youth, who remained conscious the whole time but did sustain non-life-threatening injuries in the fall. The NTES crew, assisted by Park Rangers and the CareFlight crew hauled the youth up to the top of the cliff, traversed across a rock pool and carried him out to the waiting CareFlight Rescue Helicopter. The whole retrieval was completed in an hour thanks to the excellent effort of our crew and the others on scene.”

CareFlight then transferred him to Royal Darwin Hospital.

“This is the second time in two days that NTES volunteers have had a hand in rescuing people who have fallen from heights,” Mr Cunnington said.

“On Tuesday night our members assisted a woman who had a fall at Mandorah Jetty. I’m very proud of the effort our NTES volunteers go to, to give up their time to train and respond in these types of rescues to help keep the community safe.

“We are always looking for more members across the Territory to train and respond in not only vertical rescue, but storm damage, chainsaw, flooding, search and road crash rescue. Call 8922 3630 to find your nearest unit.”