Missing NSW Hiker Found Safe and Well After Cold Night in Mount Remarkable National Park
A major search operation in the Mid North has ended in relief after a 66-year-old hiker was found uninjured this morning. The New South Wales woman spent a damp night alone in Mount Remarkable National Park before being located by emergency services.
A large-scale search and rescue operation in the state's Mid North has concluded with the safe recovery of a 66-year-old hiker who spent a cold night lost in Mount Remarkable National Park.
Emergency services located the New South Wales woman at approximately 10:00 AM on Wednesday. Despite spending the night exposed to the elements, local police confirmed she was found uninjured and did not require any immediate medical treatment.
The hiker, described as experienced, had been tackling a section of the famous Heysen Trail with a companion on Tuesday. According to authorities, the pair separated around 4:00 PM when her friend decided to return to town early. The 66-year-old opted to press on alone to conquer the summit but failed to return to her base that evening, triggering a swift emergency response.
Multi-Agency Search Overcomes Steep Terrain
A preliminary night search involving local police and the PolAir helicopter was launched late Tuesday. As dawn broke on Wednesday, the operation scaled up significantly, with ground crews, Mounted Operations, and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers combing the rugged national park.
Search teams faced challenging conditions in the popular tourist destination. SES North duty officer Ben Birbeck noted that recent heavy rainfall had left the area particularly damp underfoot. "We've had a long wet period in the region, so there's a bit of dampness and water in the area," he explained.
In addition to the wet conditions, the search area was characterized by highly demanding geography. Superintendent Paul Isherwood described the local landscape as "very steep and fairly challenging." To navigate the difficult environment, crews utilized a diverse array of rescue equipment, deploying foot patrols, aerial drones, motorbikes, and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs).
Mount Remarkable National Park, located approximately 250 to 290 kilometers north of Adelaide, remains a highly popular destination for bushwalkers. Local authorities have used the incident to remind hikers of the importance of staying together and being prepared for rapid terrain and weather changes.