Tourist’s leg amputated in dramatic 20-hour rescue

A tourist has had his leg amputated in a bid to save his life during a dramatic, 20-hour whitewater rescue in Tasmania.

The international tourist in his 60s is in hospital fighting for his life after being freed on Saturday after he became trapped wedged between rocks on the Franklin River a day earlier.

When rescuers ran out of options after several failed attempts to free him, and because of fears his condition was deteriorating, the decision was made to amputate his leg above the knee.

The decision was made by medical professionals and in consultation with the man, allowing him to be winched to safety and airlifted to Royal Hobart Hospital.

“This rescue was an extremely challenging and technical operation and an incredible effort over many hours to save the man’s life,” Tasmanian Police acting assistant commissioner Doug Oosterloo said.

“Every effort was made to extract the man before the difficult decision to amputate his leg.

“The professionalism and commitment of all emergency responders is to be commended.”

The man was kayaking with friends on Friday afternoon when his leg became wedged between rocks in the rapids, trapping him.

His smartwatch made a call to emergency services about an hour later.

Rescuers from Ambulance Tasmania, Tasmania Police, Surf Life Saving Tasmania, the SES and the Tasmania Fire Service came to his aid.

And over the next 20 hours, repeated efforts were made to free him – but they were all unsuccessful.

During the rescue, the man remained partially submerged in the water.

And when further attempts to free him were unsuccessful on Saturday, the decision was made to amputate his leg to allow him to be whisked to safety.

“The operation was successfully undertaken by the medical team, with the aid of specialist equipment,” Tasmania Police said.