On Thursday, 2nd October around 5:00pm, a tourist was swept off a cliff while fishing at Quobba Station, falling approximately 10 metres into the sea. Despite injuries including grazes and a significant forehead laceration, he remained conscious and was wearing a life jacket, which helped him stay afloat and call for help.

He was spotted around 8:30pm by people onshore who kept him in sight and alerted authorities. A coordinated rescue effort followed, involving:

• St John Carnarvon mobilising two vehicles, including a 4x4 ambulance.
• Leichhardt Medic Ian Howell, volunteering during his time off.
• Mark Burns, Leichhardt’s Production Supervisor, who managed the response and communicated with the man's wife overseas.
• Justin Kop, ERT member, who organised ambulance support at the Jetty.
• Line boat crew, who successfully rescued the man from the water after 4.5 hours.
• Skipper of the line boat, who skillfully navigated swells to enable the rescue.
• Carnarvon Police and St John Carnarvon, for their support.

The man was taken to Carnarvon District Hospital. The rescue was made possible thanks to the presence of the Leichhardt Marine Crew at Cape Cuvier, who dispatched a line boat to retrieve the man. A land-based rescue would have been nearly impossible due to the terrain.

This is an amazing outcome considering the conditions so let’s recognise their outstanding efforts in this coordinated rescue.  It just shows how great things can be achieved when everyone works effectively together.

See Channel 7's regional news clip below.