The ordeal of Matilda Campbell in Hunter Valley in New South Wales evokes great efforts that rescue teams have engaged during rescue operations. Earlier this month, Campbell had an accident whereby she fell into a three-metre crevice from where she was hiking.
The rescue operation that ensued was very challenging and lasted seven hours. Rescue teams that included paramedics and emergency services were required to remove several boulders-the largest weighing 500kg (1,100lb)-to free her. She remained upside down for more than an hour before there were people around her to help her. Friends and others who happened to be at the scene tried to pull her out but failed. She had only minor scratches and bruises all over her body. She was unable to reach her phone.
The rescue worker, Peter Watts, a paramedic, who has been called to numerous rescues at his work station says this one is the toughest that he has encountered in the past 10 years of his work. Images released by the New South Wales Ambulance service reveal the dramatic conditions, as Campbell was trapped in an “S” bend of rocks. Watts said of Campbell, “She’s shown a lot of resilience throughout this ordeal, so she’s a trooper, for sure.” Campbell thanked the team on social media after the rescue, thanking them for saving her life and adding, “Too bad I lost my phone in the landslide.”.
Such has been the publicity around the event since the rescue itself was such an intricate incident combined with the competence of rescue people.
