Rescue of injured climber on Lord Howe Island by Navy helicopter

The crew of a Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopter supporting New South Wales Police, successfully winched an injured climber from the summit of Mount Gower on Lord Howe Island yesterday morning.

The man was injured while climbing the mountain on Monday and had been moved to the summit by a civilian rescue team to await helicopter evacuation.

Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Mark Evans said he was thankful for Navy’s quick response to the call for assistance.

“The ground and aircrew did a fantastic job in getting two aircraft prepared and away at short notice,”Lieutenant General Evans said.

“To fly nearly 700kms, refuel and then conduct the winch extraction of an injured climber is a great feat of airmanship.”

The Nowra-based 817 Squadron Sea Kings (SK50) deployed to Port Macquarie late Monday afternoon following Emergency Management Australia request for Defence assistance.

The injured climber was flown to the Island’s airport and then transferred to the local hospital for further treatment.

The two Sea Kings and their aircrew remained on Lord Howe Island overnight and will return to Nowra today.

For further details about the incident please contact New South Wales Police.