Two teenage hikers stranded for days on a popular hiking mountain have finally been rescued after crews battled thick fog, steep cliffs and torrential rain to reach them.
Hiker Jackson Richards, 18, and his friend, 20, were winched from Mt Barney, Queensland, on Tuesday after spending two nights trapped in freezing and dangerous conditions before being flown to Archerfield Airport and taken to Brisbane’s QEII Hospital.
The dramatic rescue came after wild weather lashed southeast Queensland and northern NSW, sparking multiple flood rescues and trapping dozens of school students at a nearby campsite.
Preparedness Key to Survival
Queensland Ambulance Service Special Operations Team paramedic Chris Marshall said the hikers survived because they were properly prepared for the conditions.
“Because they had the right gear, the right food, their pre-planning has certainly assisted them in this,” he said.
The rescue operation was delayed for days as dangerous weather and low visibility made it impossible for helicopters to safely access the mountain.
Visibility dropped to just 20 metres at times, with rescue crews forced to climb narrow ridgelines and steep cliff faces to reach the pair.
“We had to climb up the ridgeline which is very narrow and very sharp cliff face heading down,” Marshall said.
“Our crews were actually drilling into the rocks to make anchors.”
Hikers Share Their Ordeal
Richards told 7NEWS he and his friend survived the ordeal by being prepared.
“I always overprepare for my hikes, just in case,” Richards said.
“I didn’t bring a tent, which was unfortunate, but I know how to make a shelter.”
He said the pair escaped serious injury despite being exposed to the elements for days.
“Just scratches and aching from lack of movement. That’s about it,” Richards said.
Richards said they were running dangerously low on supplies by the time rescuers reached them.
“We’d run out of food on that day, so if we were there any longer, it wouldn’t have been fun to say the least.”
He described the conditions as brutal, with rain lashing the mountain almost nonstop.
“It was raining for like two days straight, just about. Far from fun.”
After finally making it back to safety, Richards already had one thing on his mind.
“Probably get Macca’s. Big Mega Meal from Macca’s sounds pretty good right now.”
Rescue Workers Also Stranded
Two rescue workers also spent nights stranded on the mountain before weather conditions improved enough for the helicopter rescue to proceed.
Meanwhile, 43 North Lakes State College students and five teachers attending a school camp at Mt Barney were also caught in rising floodwaters after heavy rain rapidly cut off access routes.
Water rescue and SES crews were called about 5pm on Monday after the group became trapped and could not safely cross flooded areas to return to camp.
The students were ferried to safety across fast-moving water, with footage showing many remaining in good spirits despite the frightening conditions.
Parent Danny Hayes said his daughter returned home exhausted and shaken after the ordeal.
“She was in a bit of a state when she got home,” he said.
“It was quite a scary operation for her.”
