NSW:Paramedic dies in NSW canyoning rescue

AAP General News (Australia)
12-25-2011
NSW:Paramedic dies in NSW canyoning rescue

SYDNEY, Dec 25 AAP - Tragedy has struck Ambulance NSW at Christmas when one of their
paramedics died trying to rescue an injured canyoner on the NSW south coast.

The NSW Ambulance Service's helicopter rescue had two crew onboard when it was called
to a rugged location to save a canyoner on Christmas Eve.

The paramedic, who had 15 years experience, died during the winching operation at Carrington
Falls at about 5pm (AEDT).

"It's with sadness that I inform the community of NSW of the death of an Ambulance
Service of NSW paramedic overnight whilst on duty," the director of Aeromedical and Medical
Retrieval Services at Ambulance Service of NSW, Ron Manning, told reporters on Christmas
Day.

"An incident during the winching operation has tragically resulted in the death of
one of the paramedics.

"The death is a terrible tragedy for the family and the Ambulance Service of NSW."

The paramedic's name has not been released, at the request of the family.

Rescue teams had decided another winch operation was too dangerous but resumed the
rescue the next morning and brought out the canyoner.

The man was in a stable condition in hospital on Sunday.

Support for the paramedic's family and colleagues has been provided.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will
begin an investigation on Christmas Day, Mr Manning said.

NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner offered her condolences to the paramedic's family
and colleagues.

AAP lxs/mat/wjf

KEYWORD: CANYONING UPDATE

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