A tourist who had his leg amputated after becoming trapped between rocks while kayaking a river in Tasmania is returning home following a two-month stay in hospital.
The Lithuanian man, aged in his 60s, was pack rafting along the Franklin River, in the western region of Tasmania, on November 22 when he slipped and fell into a rock crevice.
It took dozens of rescue officials including police, ambulance workers and surf lifesavers during a 20-hour operation to help extract the man from the rocks.
The kayaker – who can’t be named due to patient confidentiality – was partly submerged in running water in the wild river during the grueling rescue.
It involved 53 winches, which is a record for a single rescue operation in Tasmania.
The man was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) in a critical condition and his leg needed to be amputated.
He remained in the hospital until last week and has since been discharged to return home to Lithuania.
During his treatment and recovery, the man met with some of the frontline workers who saved his life.
Tasmania’s Acting Secretary of the Department of Health, Professor Dinesh Arya, commended all those involved in the man’s daring rescue.
“This gentleman experienced a life-changing ordeal in a country far from his home and family and has made a steady recovery,” Arya said.
“I applaud every individual who played a part in the rescue, as well as all staff who have been providing acute and ongoing care to the patient at the RHH over the past few months.”
