Rescued after fall in extreme heat
A Point Cook hiker who suffered severe injuries after falling six metres in the Cathedral Range State Park was reunited today with the emergency crews who rescued him. The incident occurred while the man was hiking a 1500m mountain with five companions on Saturday, 22 February around 2pm.
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43-year-old Stoj Jovevski sustained serious injuries to his back and wrist, rendering him unable to walk. His companions promptly alerted emergency services. The State Emergency Service’s high angle team were the first to arrive at the scene, followed by an Ambulance Victoria flight paramedic who provided immediate medical assistance.
Due to the rough terrain and surrounding trees, it was considered too dangerous to winch the man from the accident location, while carrying him out on a stretcher was nearly impossible. The Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad, known for their expertise in complex vertical rescues, were then flown in. They established a multi-directional roping system to safely move the man in three separate stages.
Support from State Emergency Services, Country Fire Authority, and Ambulance Victoria members was crucial in keeping the man stable during the operation. After several hours of teamwork, the man was moved to a location suitable for air extraction. The Victoria Police Airwing winched the man to safety around 8pm.
He was subsequently transported by Ambulance Victoria to a Melbourne hospital, where he received treatment for several weeks. Following the successful rescue, the team of over 20 emergency services personnel hiked two hours to reach the bottom of the mountain.
Leading Senior Constable Steve Ellis, Search and Rescue Squad, stated, “This man is incredibly lucky to have survived such a fall. Thankfully, we had highly experienced emergency services close by to assist him and put him in the best position possible for us to be able to get him out. It is extremely gratifying to help someone in their hour of need and see them return to good health.”
Acting Inspector Amber Rawson, Search and Rescue Squad, also highlighted the importance of cooperation among emergency services. She said, “This job is a prime example of just how important it is for emergency services to be able to work together. We could not have achieved this result without the help from our volunteer agencies and paramedics who located the patient and kept him stable until police search and rescue crews arrived. This type of work – while complex and highly technical – is what our specialist squads train for. Their experience and skills are evident in jobs like this where every move counts.”
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