A mum and daughter’s “dangerous” decision at an iconic tourist attraction has prompted a warning to others to keep safe as wild weather continues to lash parts of Australia.
On Friday night a woman was sightseeing on the NSW coast when she slipped and suffered a suspected broken leg on the rocks near Kiama’s famous blowhole. When the local NSW SES rescue team arrived, they were stunned to find the woman and her daughter about 100metres from the viewing platform.
A spokesperson for the volunteer emergency service organisation told Yahoo News Australia the pair had gone for a stroll on the rocks “at sunset and were some distance from the dedicated footpaths and associated safety fencing”.
“They were being buffeted by 90 km/h winds and were soaked from sea spray. When we reached them the injured lady was very cold and in shock,” they said. “Four-metre-high waves were striking the rocks nearby and drenching the couple every couple of minutes. It was lucky that we were able to reach them quickly.”
NSW SES rescuers struggled to reach the woman and her daughter while battling 90km/h winds and ‘massive’ waves. Source: NSW SES/Facebook
The women were not in immediate danger of being swept away, but a rogue wave could have caused substantial injuries due to their location, the spokesperson added.
NSW SES Local Southern Illawarra Commander, John Wall, said online that even members of the rescue unit “struggled to stay standing” as they battled the wind and wash from “massive” waves.
Rescuers ‘strongly urge’ tourists to use caution
The sightseer with a possible broken leg was initially treated by rescuers before being transported to hospital. Her daughter was not injured and “did a great job in supporting her mother until emergency services were able to reach them”.
Following the “challenging” operation, the NSW SES told Yahoo it is “strongly urging all visitors to our spectacular coastline to exercise extreme caution during severe weather conditions”.
“Large waves and strong winds are creating treacherous conditions along the entire coast. Please remain on marked paths and viewing areas at all times — they are designed for your safety,” the spokesperson said, adding that venturing into unprotected areas puts their own, and the lives of emergency responders, at risk.
“Weather conditions can change rapidly, and what may seem like a scenic photo opportunity can quickly become a life-threatening situation. Our emergency services will always respond when needed, but we ask everyone to help prevent incidents by making safer choices.”
Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach has been left in a state of ruin following the intense storms. Source: NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone
More rain on the way following brutal storms
Violent thunderstorms pummelled parts of Queensland, Victoria, the ACT and NSW this week, with one man tragically losing his life when a tree fell on his car in Cowra.
Residents in Sydney woke up on Saturday to yet another grim day of rain and strong winds. After three days of intense storms, even the city’s iconic Bondi Beach has been left in a state of ruin due to huge swells.
Around 1pm, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the low-pressure system appears to be weakening and slowly moving away from the NSW coast, however showers and gusty winds are expected to linger until Sunday night.
In the north of WA, Pilbara residents are bracing for a tropical low to bring storms.
Aussies shouldn’t put their umbrellas away anytime soon. The BOM is predicting above average rainfall for much of the country’s north and parts of the east and west from February to April.
Love Australia’s weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.