A Life-Saving Adventure in the Warrumbungle National Park
A remarkable act of kindness and bravery has unfolded in the Warrumbungle National Park, where a group of high school students played a vital role in rescuing an injured hiker. This heartwarming story highlights the importance of outdoor education and the value of community spirit.
The Rescue Scenario
During a four-day Duke of Edinburgh Award hike, students from Armidale’s Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) encountered Thomas Wendland, who had suffered a broken leg after slipping on a track. The students, who were already on their third day of the hike, immediately sprang into action, using their training and resources to assist the hiker.
The Team Effort
Year 11 student Stephanie Blake described the situation, emphasizing the determination of the group. “We placed my hammock over the top, and then he laid down on that and we all positioned ourselves around the outside. We would count down three seconds and then lift him up altogether, then we would walk 60 seconds and then rest for 15 seconds and rotate.”
This methodical approach allowed the students to transport Mr. Wendland over a challenging terrain. It took them two hours to find a safe location for his evacuation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Challenges Faced
Stephanie reflected on the physical and mental challenges they faced. “The path just seemed to keep getting longer and longer,” she said. “You don’t realise how far 3.5 kilometres is [until] you’re shuffling along carrying someone.”
Despite the difficulties, the students remained focused and determined. “I felt such a good sense of achievement that we were able to help him,” she added. “It’s nice to have this story, come home and say ‘we rescued this hiker’ and now we’ve got that safety tool in the pocket.”
The Role of Outdoor Education
The rescue was made possible by the outdoor education training the students had received. PLC outdoor educators Amanda and Marty Burney, who led the girls through the rescue, emphasized the importance of the Duke of Edinburgh Award skills.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a non-formal education program for young people that focuses on physical recreation, skills, voluntary service, and adventurous journey. “We had practised this exact scenario a couple of years ago with this group of students when they were doing their bronze Duke of Edinburgh hike,” Ms Burney said.
She noted the excitement of the students when they realized they could apply their training in a real-life situation. “When I called out to the girls and asked them to wait and told them our plan was to help this gentleman, they were so excited, there were lots of comments like ‘wow, we’ve trained for this’.”
The Hiker’s Perspective
Dubbo resident Thomas Wendland shared his experience of the incident. He knew instantly that he had seriously injured himself after slipping on the track. “I heard it snap, I knew something wasn’t right,” he said.
Mr. Wendland described how he and his friend tried to push forward, but the pain became unbearable. They encountered a couple of nurses who helped by applying a compression bandage. However, a subsequent fall increased the pain significantly.
He praised the students and their teachers for their quick response and effective actions. “I felt quite useless while they all got it set up,” he said. “I was a little bit worried there for a while, my friend did everything that she could do, and I’m also very grateful for her help, but we didn’t know what to do and what the next steps would be if we didn’t come across the girls.”
A Lasting Impact
Mr. Wendland expressed deep gratitude for the assistance provided by the students. “It absolutely means the world that they were able to offer the assistance they did. I’m forever grateful for them.”
This incident not only showcases the power of teamwork and preparation but also highlights the positive impact that outdoor education can have on young people. The students’ actions serve as a reminder of the importance of community support and the value of learning practical skills that can make a difference in real-life situations.
