Blue Mountains hiker rescued with support from Telco Authority

A 33-year-old female hiker was rescued from Blue Mountains bushland in December after going missing for six days, thanks to the coordinated efforts of NSW emergency services and NSW Telco Authority’s deployment of Project 25 Cells On Wheels (P25 COWs).

Prior to going missing, the hiker was last seen at Katoomba on the evening of 13 December. When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Blue Mountains Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

At about midday on 14 December, the woman’s vehicle was located abandoned on Galwey Lane, Mount Wilson. A wide-scale land and air search of bushland at Mount Wilson continued throughout the week, including local police with the assistance of Police Rescue, PolAir, NSW Ambulance Service, State Emergency Service and the Rural Fire Service (RFS). NSW Telco Authority also deployed two P25 COWs to provide essential communications coverage for the search teams, providing seamless connectivity and enabling emergency teams to coordinate effectively.

NSW Telco Authority’s David Wall, who participated in the search as part of an RFS Remote Area team, said the COWs provided excellent P25 coverage even in the very deep canyons that characterised the search area. The challenging terrain thus highlighted the critical role of reliable communications infrastructure in search and rescue operations.

At about 2.30 pm on 19 December, an RFS helicopter spotted the missing hiker in the bushland. She was treated at the scene for minor injuries and dehydration, before being airlifted to Nepean Hospital.

NSW Telco Authority said its deployment of the COWs underscores its vital role in supporting emergency response efforts across the state, ensuring first responders have the tools they need when and where they need them.

“The COWs were essential to this outcome,” Wall said.

“We should all be proud of what we do at NSW Telco Authority and this is one example of why.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Phillip Wittke