‘I couldn’t feel my legs’: Bushwalker’s terrifying ordeal sparks urgent warning
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A routine Sunday stroll took a terrifying turn for one experienced hiker, leaving him stranded in the bush and questioning if he would ever walk again.
Despite knowing the trail and being close to homes, he was injured, hidden, and struggling to be found.
What ultimately saved him was an unexpected detail, and now he’s urging fellow bushwalkers to take one crucial precaution before heading out.
An experienced hiker has urged fellow bushwalkers to take one essential item on their journeys after a routine walk near his Sydney home turned into a life-threatening ordeal.
Robert Lang, who enjoys escaping the city's chaos by trekking through the bush, had walked the Lover’s Jump trail in Turramurra countless times.
But one recent Sunday, after heavy rainfall, his familiar route became treacherous.
‘I walk this trail every Sunday morning... there had been a lot of rain this day, and I could hear the rush of water below as I was walking above the creek...I sort of pushed through the bushes to see it, and as I was going down the slope, I guess because of the fresh rain, the ground gave way,’ he recalled.
Lang lost his footing, tumbling down the hill before plunging into the creek below.
‘I ended up sliding and rolling down the hill and fell into the creek fully submerged. My hip took most of the brunt, but I couldn’t feel my legs.’
Alone and unable to stand, Lang managed to drag himself from the water using only his arms.
He used his smartwatch to alert his wife and emergency services, but rescuers struggled to find him.
For nearly an hour, he lay injured in the bush, hidden from view despite being close to residential homes.
Even with his wife knowing his usual route, his smartwatch’s location signal wasn’t coming through.
By sheer luck, he had chosen to wear a bright yellow waterproof jacket that day—a decision that ultimately saved him.
‘Then I could hear someone shouting, and so I shouted back. Within a minute or two suddenly someone was grabbing my hand and telling me that they had me and I was safe,’ Lang said.
‘It’s indescribable to have someone say, “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.” Just the sheer humanity of it makes me choke up now.’
As he was being pulled from the rushing water, he slowly regained sensation in his leg.
Doctors later explained that the impact of the fall had likely shocked a nerve, causing temporary paralysis.
Fortunately, Lang made a full recovery and can walk again without any lasting effects.
Reflecting on the ordeal, he admitted there were things he could have done differently to improve his chances of being rescued sooner.
‘Think about how you’re going to be located if there is an incident,’ he warned.
He recommended taking a personal locator beacon (PLB), staying on the trail, avoiding solo hikes, informing someone of travel plans, and wearing bright clothing.
‘Making sure you have a way to make yourself visible.’
Lang now carries a PLB whenever he ventures into the bush and hopes others will do the same to avoid the terrifying uncertainty he experienced.
In a previous story, another unsettling incident in Australia’s national parks left hikers shocked and outraged.
The disturbing discovery has raised serious concerns about safety and preservation in these wilderness areas.
Read more about what was found and why it’s sparking debate.
Have you ever found yourself in a tricky situation while hiking?
Let us know your experience in the comments.
Despite knowing the trail and being close to homes, he was injured, hidden, and struggling to be found.
What ultimately saved him was an unexpected detail, and now he’s urging fellow bushwalkers to take one crucial precaution before heading out.
An experienced hiker has urged fellow bushwalkers to take one essential item on their journeys after a routine walk near his Sydney home turned into a life-threatening ordeal.
Robert Lang, who enjoys escaping the city's chaos by trekking through the bush, had walked the Lover’s Jump trail in Turramurra countless times.
But one recent Sunday, after heavy rainfall, his familiar route became treacherous.
Hiker’s routine walk turns into a nightmare. Image source: Robert Lang
‘I walk this trail every Sunday morning... there had been a lot of rain this day, and I could hear the rush of water below as I was walking above the creek...I sort of pushed through the bushes to see it, and as I was going down the slope, I guess because of the fresh rain, the ground gave way,’ he recalled.
Lang lost his footing, tumbling down the hill before plunging into the creek below.
‘I ended up sliding and rolling down the hill and fell into the creek fully submerged. My hip took most of the brunt, but I couldn’t feel my legs.’
Alone and unable to stand, Lang managed to drag himself from the water using only his arms.
He used his smartwatch to alert his wife and emergency services, but rescuers struggled to find him.
For nearly an hour, he lay injured in the bush, hidden from view despite being close to residential homes.
Even with his wife knowing his usual route, his smartwatch’s location signal wasn’t coming through.
By sheer luck, he had chosen to wear a bright yellow waterproof jacket that day—a decision that ultimately saved him.
‘Then I could hear someone shouting, and so I shouted back. Within a minute or two suddenly someone was grabbing my hand and telling me that they had me and I was safe,’ Lang said.
‘It’s indescribable to have someone say, “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.” Just the sheer humanity of it makes me choke up now.’
As he was being pulled from the rushing water, he slowly regained sensation in his leg.
Doctors later explained that the impact of the fall had likely shocked a nerve, causing temporary paralysis.
Fortunately, Lang made a full recovery and can walk again without any lasting effects.
Reflecting on the ordeal, he admitted there were things he could have done differently to improve his chances of being rescued sooner.
‘Think about how you’re going to be located if there is an incident,’ he warned.
He recommended taking a personal locator beacon (PLB), staying on the trail, avoiding solo hikes, informing someone of travel plans, and wearing bright clothing.
‘Making sure you have a way to make yourself visible.’
Lang now carries a PLB whenever he ventures into the bush and hopes others will do the same to avoid the terrifying uncertainty he experienced.
Hiker urges others to carry a PLB. Image source: Robert Lang
In a previous story, another unsettling incident in Australia’s national parks left hikers shocked and outraged.
The disturbing discovery has raised serious concerns about safety and preservation in these wilderness areas.
Read more about what was found and why it’s sparking debate.
Have you ever found yourself in a tricky situation while hiking?
Let us know your experience in the comments.
