Young girl's desperate walk to safety after deadly landslide
The victims of a horror landslide in the NSW Blue Mountains have been identified as a British family of five holidaying in Australia.
The father, 49, and his nine-year-old son died at the scene after the family was caught in a landslide on a Wentworth Falls walking track at around 1.30pm on Monday afternoon.
The 50-year-old mother and 14-year-old son, both found in critical condition, were winched out that evening and taken to hospital. They remain in critical condition.
The couple’s 15-year-old daughter escaped injury, with NSW Police saying she was walked from the location by emergency services and treated for shock.
It is understood the young girl also assisted rescuers on the ground, as reported by 9News.
Police have confirmed the family were visiting from the United Kingdom, and that the British consulate is assisting with the incident.
With the dense bush making the rescue even more difficult, two police helicopters and special operations paramedics were among those enlisted to help.
Seven road crews and two road crews were also dispatched to the scene by NSW Ambulance.
“Unfortunately there’s been a landslip while they were bushwalking and a man and a boy have passed away,” NSW Police Detective Acting Superintendent John Nelson told reporters.
“In terms of the site, it’s extremely dangerous and unstable.
“Two other patients are critical, with head and abdominal injuries, requiring sedation before extraction.”
NSW Ambulance superintendent Stewart Clarke addressed the incident on Monday night, telling the media it was “absolutely heartbreaking”.
“This is absolutely heartbreaking for all involved and a truly tragic ending to what I’m sure was meant to be a pleasant day out,” he said.
“It is terribly sad to have lost two lives here today and my heart goes out to the families and the survivors of this horrific ordeal who have witnessed what is certainly a traumatic event.”
Trish Doyle, the Labor MP for the Blue Mountains, and the Wentworth Falls City - Blue Mountains Council Deputy Mayor, Romola Hollywood, both shared their condolences to the family online.
“My heart goes out to this family, their friends and community, on behalf of ours,” Ms Doyle commented on a post from NSW Police about the incident.
“I extend the deepest respect to our Blue Mountains Police Rescue, Special Ops Paramedics & all first responders - for your traumatic but crucial work. Thank you.”
“Our hearts go out to the family in these tragic circumstances. So incredibly sad,” Ms Hollywood also commented. “And we hope the woman and boy in hospital make a strong and speedy recovery.
“Deepest thanks to our first responders for your amazing work in difficult circumstances and thanks to all who support them too. Take care everyone too.”
The devastating incident comes after weeks of heavy rain across the state forced the National Parks and Wildlife Service to close several popular tracks due to “flood damage and ongoing rockfall risk”.
All tracks in the area have been closed since the incident.
A coroner’s report will be prepared for the man and young boy, as Blue Mountains police return to the area to retrieve their bodies.
Image: 9News