We embarked on a two-day tramp to conquer the Jumbo Holdsworth circuit, my sister’s first overnight hike. Little did we know our plans would quickly turn to a rescue story.

Despite our experience with day tramps, the forecasted weather forced us to reverse the track, turning what should have been an easier first day into a challenging ascent. The terrain grew steeper and more demanding, testing our endurance right from the start. As we neared Mt. Holdsworth, fatigue began to set in, and the biting cold cut through our layers, making each step feel heavier. The rough, uneven terrain added to the difficulty, pushing us to dig deeper for strength with every step we took.

Suddenly, my sister stumbled, her foot catching on an uneven rock, and she twisted her leg, injuring her thigh. At first, we assumed it was a minor injury, so we encouraged her to keep moving, thinking the pain would subside. However, after a few more steps, she lost her footing again, this time falling harder, and she struck her head on the rocky ground. The impact knocked her unconscious briefly, leaving us in a panic. When she came to, she began to feel disoriented and nauseous, and soon after, bouts of vomiting followed. We realized the situation was far more serious than we had initially thought.

Alarmed, I activated my ResQLink 400, and within thirty minutes, the Westpac Rescue helicopter swooped in to our aid.

Grateful for their swift response, we owed our safety to their timely assistance. The heroes of our rescue story.