Dramatic Rescue: Family of Four Saved from Stranded Yacht in Whitsundays
A family of four, including two children, were rescued from a yacht stranded on a reef in the Whitsundays in a complex operation involving a rescue helicopter. The family was winched to safety one by one after their yacht struck Elizabeth Reef on Saturday morning.
A dramatic rescue operation was carried out in the Whitsundays on Saturday, after a family of four became stranded on a reef when their yacht struck the rocks.
The family, consisting of two parents and their two children, aged 9 and 12, were sailing a 10-metre vessel approximately 120 kilometres off the Queensland mainland when the incident occurred around 4am.
Rescue Operation
A rescue helicopter team from CQ Rescue Helicopters was dispatched to the scene, and a crew from Mackay reached the yacht's location at sunrise. A spokesperson for CQ Rescue Helicopters described the rescue as a "highly complex operation".
"In a highly complex operation, the helicopter hovered above the vessel while a rescue swimmer was lowered to assist," the spokesperson said.
The helicopter maintained a steady hover while a swimmer was lowered to rescue each family member, who was then secured and winched into the helicopter one at a time.
"Each person was secured and winched into the helicopter one at a time."
Family Receives Medical Attention
Once on board the helicopter, the family was transferred to the Whitsunday Airport, where the father received treatment for head injuries before being taken to Proserpine Hospital for further medical attention.
CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee praised the crew for their skill and teamwork in carrying out the challenging operation on an isolated reef.
"Our crew had to maintain a precise and stable hover while the family were rescued," he said. "The precision and teamwork required cannot be overstated."