Northern Territory Police have rescued two hikers in separate search and rescue operations on the Larapinta Trail near Alice Springs over the weekend.
Around 9.30pm on Saturday, police were notified of an overdue solo hiker near Section 3 of the Larapinta Trail. The partner of the 33-year-old man advised he was dropped off at Standley Chasm and was intending to hike to Millers Flat via an alternative southern route, not along the main trail.
The man subsequently ran out of water and became disorientated, with his last communication to his partner being at 1.00pm that day before his phone ran out of battery.
The search effort was conducted over an area of 134km2, involving police and NTES volunteers with assistance from Parks and Wildlife staff and the Larapinta Trail Trek Support team. A helicopter was also deployed to complete aerial taskings.
Just after 9.00am on Sunday, the helicopter located the missing man and was able to land nearby to his location. A paramedic on board was able to provide initial first aid for dehydration, before he was conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital for further assessment. He has since been released.
Later that day, around 5.00pm, police were notified by the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre of a second overdue hiker along the Larapinta Trail.
The 40-year-old female had intended to solo walk from Simpsons Gap to Standley Chasm, however she ran out of water and became dehydrated. She activated her Personal Locater Beacon (PLB), and the Search and Rescue Section deployed a helicopter to her location, about 5km northeast of Standley Chasm, reaching her around 6.40pm.
She was mildly dehydrated but did not require medical attention.
Search Coordinator Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr said, “I commend the work done by police and NTES volunteers and want to thank Parks and Wildlife and the Larapinta Trail Trek Support team for their assistance.
“It was only through the collective efforts of a multiagency response that the initial missing hiker was located and recovered back to safety so quickly, however, had he been carrying a PLB, he would have been found much sooner.
“Police urge anyone planning to walk along the Larapinta Trail to consider going in a group if possible, or at least with one other person. Be prepared with adequate supplies, including food and plenty of water, and travel with a Personal Locater Beacon, as the second hiker did in this case.”
