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Remote crash site spurs massive rescue effort across rough, inaccessible terrain

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Remote crash site spurs massive rescue effort across rough, inaccessible terrain

1758249091277.png Remote crash site spurs massive rescue effort across rough, inaccessible terrain
Emergency crews face one of their most challenging rescue operations as they work to reach a pilot missing after his light aircraft crashed. Credit: Facebook

Emergency crews are facing one of their most challenging rescue operations in recent memory as they work to reach a pilot missing after his light aircraft crashed in some of NSW's most inaccessible wilderness.



The missing pilot, a man in his 60s, disappeared yesterday afternoon during what should have been a routine flight back to Sydney.



His aircraft had left Bankstown Airport just after 11 am, bound for Mallacoota in Victoria, before turning back towards Sydney when disaster struck.



When Technology Saves Lives



The emergency began unfolding at about 4:30 pm on Thursday when the aircraft's Emergency Location Transmitter activated over Budawang National Park.



This potentially life-saving piece of technology—mandatory in all Australian aircraft—automatically sends a distress signal when it detects a crash or when manually activated by the pilot.







Within an hour of the alert, the crash site was located from the air at about 5:30 pm near the remote locality of Wog Wog, approximately 25 kilometres north-west of Batemans Bay.




'Emergency services were unable to access the crash site by vehicle or on foot'

NSW Police spokesperson



Australia's Most Challenging Terrain



The reason for the rescue difficulties becomes clear when you understand where this crash occurred. Budawang National Park is declared a wilderness area, and the park is largely isolated with steep and rugged terrain.









Park authorities warn that hiking in the area is suitable only for fit and experienced bushwalkers equipped with sufficient water and survival gear.



Even in ideal conditions, this park has limited mobile phone reception, making communication with rescue teams extremely difficult.




About Budawang National Park


Declared wilderness area covering rugged mountainous terrain


Suitable only for experienced, well-equipped bushwalkers


Limited mobile phone reception


Can close due to poor weather or fire danger


Home to Mount Budawang and pristine river systems




The challenging landscape that attracts adventurous bushwalkers has now become the biggest obstacle facing rescue teams. Due to the terrain and weather conditions, emergency services were unable to access the crash site by vehicle or on foot.



Massive Rescue Operation Launched



The scale of the response demonstrates just how seriously authorities are taking this rescue operation. The multi-agency search involves NSW Police, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, NSW Toll Ambulance Helicopter, Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service and NSW Ambulance.









A NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman confirmed the service had dispatched a truck at about 5:20pm in response to the call-out, while rescue helicopters have been scouring the area from above.



The complexity of wilderness rescue operations like this cannot be understated. Teams must navigate the challenging terrain and coordinate between multiple agencies, manage weather conditions, and maintain communication in areas with poor mobile reception.



The Search Continues



The search and rescue operation resumed this morning (Friday 19 September), with teams preparing for what could be a long and difficult operation to reach the crash site on foot.









The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has handed the search operations to NSW police, indicating this has transitioned from a maritime rescue to a land-based operation requiring specialist bush rescue expertise.



Emergency services face a delicate balance—moving quickly enough to help the pilot while ensuring the safety of rescue teams in such treacherous conditions.



What This Means for Recreational Pilots and Families



This incident highlights the importance of proper flight planning and emergency equipment. All aircraft in Australia must carry Emergency Location Transmitters, and this case shows exactly why—without it, finding a crash site in such remote terrain would be nearly impossible.










Emergency Preparedness for Wilderness Activities



  • Always carry emergency communication devices

  • File detailed plans with family or friends

  • Carry extra supplies for unexpected delays

  • Ensure someone knows your expected return time

  • Consider personal locator beacons for remote area activities




For families with loved ones who enjoy recreational flying or wilderness activities, this serves as a reminder of the importance of detailed communication about travel plans and expected arrival times.



The aviation community and local residents are holding out hope that the pilot may have survived the crash and is waiting for rescue teams to reach him.



In wilderness survival situations, having shelter, staying calm, and conserving energy are crucial factors that can make the difference between life and death.



As rescue teams prepare for another day of challenging search operations, the thoughts of many are with both the missing pilot and the brave emergency service workers risking their own safety in this difficult rescue attempt.



Have you or your family members ever experienced challenging situations in Australia's wilderness areas? We'd love to hear your stories and any tips you might have for staying safe in remote locations.



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His plane was found yesterday in remote bushland near Batemans Bay. Unfortunately he was deceased
 
An old friend of mine went missing a few years ago while going for her daily walk at Medlow Bath near Katoomba nsw.
She has never been found.

I hadn't seen her for years and was shocked when I saw the story on the nightly news.
She moved to Australia from Scotland in the 70s and was a single mum to one daughter. She had no other family here

Search for elderly woman missing from NSW's Blue Mountains continues​

Thu 10 Mar 2016Thursday 10 March 2016
Elizabeth O'Pray, 77, has been missing from the Blue Mountains since Monday night.

Elizabeth O'Pray, 77, has been missing from the Blue Mountains since Monday night. (Supplied: NSW Police)
abc.net.au/news/missing-blue-mountains-woman-elizabeth-opray-search-continues/7235216
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The search for an elderly woman missing from the New South Wales Blue Mountains has entered a fourth day.
Elizabeth O'Pray, 77, was reported missing about 11:00pm on Monday.
She last spoke to someone on the phone from her landline line at her home in Delmonte Avenue, Medlow Bath about 11:00am the same day.
Police helicopters have been sweeping the area near her home overnight and a foot search will begin again this morning.
Officers said they were concerned for Ms O'Pray's welfare because she had a medical condition that required regular medication.
Ms O'Pray was described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170 centimetres tall, of thin build with short grey hair.
She was known to walk along Grand Canyon Road, Medlow Bath, and along a small track from Medlow Bath towards Katoomba.
Police have urged anyone who has information that may assist police in locating Ms O'Pray is urged to come forward.
Officers said they had been aided in the search by the police transport command and operations support group, as well as the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.

This women is weird but she sums up everything
 
Last edited:
An old friend of mine went missing a few years ago while going for her daily walk at Medlow Bath near Katoomba nsw.
She has never been found.

I hadn't seen her for years and was shocked when I saw the story on the nightly news.
She moved to Australia from Scotland in the 70s and was a single mum to one daughter. She had no other family here

Search for elderly woman missing from NSW's Blue Mountains continues​

Thu 10 Mar 2016Thursday 10 March 2016
Elizabeth O'Pray, 77, has been missing from the Blue Mountains since Monday night.'Pray, 77, has been missing from the Blue Mountains since Monday night.

Elizabeth O'Pray, 77, has been missing from the Blue Mountains since Monday night. (Supplied: NSW Police)
abc.net.au/news/missing-blue-mountains-woman-elizabeth-opray-search-continues/7235216
Link copied
Share
The search for an elderly woman missing from the New South Wales Blue Mountains has entered a fourth day.
Elizabeth O'Pray, 77, was reported missing about 11:00pm on Monday.
She last spoke to someone on the phone from her landline line at her home in Delmonte Avenue, Medlow Bath about 11:00am the same day.
Police helicopters have been sweeping the area near her home overnight and a foot search will begin again this morning.
Officers said they were concerned for Ms O'Pray's welfare because she had a medical condition that required regular medication.
Ms O'Pray was described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170 centimetres tall, of thin build with short grey hair.
She was known to walk along Grand Canyon Road, Medlow Bath, and along a small track from Medlow Bath towards Katoomba.
Police have urged anyone who has information that may assist police in locating Ms O'Pray is urged to come forward.
Officers said they had been aided in the search by the police transport command and operations support group, as well as the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.

This women is weird but she sums up everything

@Suzanne rose. She looks strangely familiar. 😲
 
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@Suzanne rose. She looks strangely familiar. 😲
I met her when I was living in Dulwich Hill 1979 . I lived in a unit and she lived next door. I was 18 she was 40. We both had daughters around the same age who became best friends.

Even when I moved to Roselands we stayed in touch and she ended up buying a house in Wiley Park around 1985, she lived there for maybe 20 years before buying and moving into a house at Medlow Bath.

A male friends plane went missing in the area 2 weeks before and people said she may have gone looking for him. People could hear her cries for help but still couldn't find her.

Strange how many people actually go missing out there
 
It was all across the news which was how I found out she was missing
I remember the Hydro Majestic. What a dump!

Apparently, it has been refurbished.

Into a Thai brothel????
 

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