This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-49737335
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Australian hiker rescued after 'carrying' broken leg for two days | Australian hiker rescued after 'carrying' broken leg for two days |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An Australian hiker who was injured in a 6m (20ft) fall down a waterfall says he had to "carry" his broken leg while crawling for two days to be rescued. | An Australian hiker who was injured in a 6m (20ft) fall down a waterfall says he had to "carry" his broken leg while crawling for two days to be rescued. |
Neil Parker, 54, was bushwalking alone near Brisbane on Sunday when he slipped, leaving his wrist broken and lower leg "clean snapped in half". | Neil Parker, 54, was bushwalking alone near Brisbane on Sunday when he slipped, leaving his wrist broken and lower leg "clean snapped in half". |
After losing his phone in the process, he decided his best chance of being rescued was to crawl to a clearing. | After losing his phone in the process, he decided his best chance of being rescued was to crawl to a clearing. |
He made it there and was spotted - but only after an agonisingly slow journey. | He made it there and was spotted - but only after an agonisingly slow journey. |
"I'd get about a metre, a metre-and-a-half, each time before I had to stop and take a break," he told reporters from his hospital bed on Wednesday. | |
"I just couldn't believe it. It's only 3km [2 miles] but [it took] two days to cover 3km. I was thinking that I was never going to get there." | "I just couldn't believe it. It's only 3km [2 miles] but [it took] two days to cover 3km. I was thinking that I was never going to get there." |
Devising a 'self-rescue' | Devising a 'self-rescue' |
Mr Parker had been planning a three-hour hike at Mount Nebo when rocks gave way beneath his feet and he tumbled down the waterfall. | Mr Parker had been planning a three-hour hike at Mount Nebo when rocks gave way beneath his feet and he tumbled down the waterfall. |
"I slid about 20 feet, cartwheeled and slammed into the rock and then landed in the creek on the bottom," he said. | "I slid about 20 feet, cartwheeled and slammed into the rock and then landed in the creek on the bottom," he said. |
"And I thought, 'the only way to get rescued is self-rescue.'" | "And I thought, 'the only way to get rescued is self-rescue.'" |
An experienced bushwalker, Mr Parker had packed first aid supplies including bandages which he combined with hiking sticks to splint his leg. | An experienced bushwalker, Mr Parker had packed first aid supplies including bandages which he combined with hiking sticks to splint his leg. |
He also had painkillers and access to water, but only limited food: nuts, sweets and an energy bar. | He also had painkillers and access to water, but only limited food: nuts, sweets and an energy bar. |
Mr Parker said he was "scrambling and lifting, inch-by-inch" to get to the clearing, hampered by the injuries on opposite sides of his body. | Mr Parker said he was "scrambling and lifting, inch-by-inch" to get to the clearing, hampered by the injuries on opposite sides of his body. |
"I had to carry my leg - and legs are very heavy when they're not connected to anything - and [I was] trying to pick it up and get over rock and then use this elbow and this arm and just constantly struggling," he said. | "I had to carry my leg - and legs are very heavy when they're not connected to anything - and [I was] trying to pick it up and get over rock and then use this elbow and this arm and just constantly struggling," he said. |
He said thinking of his family gave him the mental strength to keep going, saying: "I wanted to be around for my kids." | He said thinking of his family gave him the mental strength to keep going, saying: "I wanted to be around for my kids." |
You might also be interested in: | You might also be interested in: |
Mr Parker was finally spotted by a helicopter and winched to safety on Tuesday, before being taken to a hospital in Brisbane. | Mr Parker was finally spotted by a helicopter and winched to safety on Tuesday, before being taken to a hospital in Brisbane. |
Orthopaedic surgeon Nicola Ward told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Mr Parker was doing "extremely well". | Orthopaedic surgeon Nicola Ward told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Mr Parker was doing "extremely well". |
"I've never heard any such survival effort with two broken limbs," she said, adding he faced at least eight weeks of recovery. | "I've never heard any such survival effort with two broken limbs," she said, adding he faced at least eight weeks of recovery. |
Previous version
1
Next version