Kayaker’s leg was amputated in the river 20 hours after being rescued

A Tasmanian tourist had his leg amputated in a raging river after becoming trapped between rocks during a kayaking trip with friends.

Doctors said they made the “life or death” decision after consulting with international tourists during the complex rescue on the Franklin River that lasted about 20 hours.

The passenger, in his 60s, was partially submerged in water throughout the ordeal and rescuers said it was clear that “if he had remained in place and was trapped in the crevasse he would not have been able to survive”.

Multiple attempts to move him before his amputation were unsuccessful, police in the Australian island nation said.

The tourist was kayaking with a group in southwest Tasmania when his leg got stuck between rocks in a rapids area on Friday afternoon.

Police said emergency services rushed to the remote and inaccessible area after the man’s smart watch called for help.

After several unsuccessful attempts to free the man overnight and as his condition worsened, the decision was made to amputate his leg so he could be removed from the site and taken to hospital. institute.

Doug Oosterloo, acting assistant commissioner of Tasmania Police, said in a statement: “This rescue was an extremely difficult and technical operation, and an incredible effort spanning many hours to save the man’s life.”

“This is a life or death situation,” Oosterloo told Australian national broadcaster ABC.

The man is currently in critical condition at the hospital.

Oosterloo said that although the kayaker was “thoroughly prepared,” he was not prepared for spending “that significant amount of time in a crevasse with those temperatures and the fast-flowing water that he is down there.”

Australia’s Associated Press reported that 10 other tourists who were kayaking with the man were airlifted out of the area and police plan to talk to them about the cause of the accident.

Oosterloo told the news agency that the tourists had stopped kayaking and were on shore when the man slipped.

“He was scouting the area and he slipped and fell into that crevice,” Oosterloo said.