On Friday Nov 22, 2024 a rafting adventure turned into a nightmare scenario when a Lithuanian paddler in his sixties fell and became entrapped and partially submerged in a crevasse on the river.
The paddler had over five decades of rafting experience and was pack rafting in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park as part of an 11-member adventure rafting trip around the globe; Tasmania was the last stop of the trip. The paddlers were on a remote stretch of the Franklin River on their multi-day rafting trip when the Lithuanian paddler slipped and fell while walking alongside rapids scouting around 2:30 pm on November 22.
Harrowing rescue on Tasmania’s Franklin River
Emergency services were alerted by the man’s smartwatch and dispatched rescue units and paramedics.
Rescue efforts were complicated by the remote nature of the Franklin River, with this section accessible only by paddle-in or helicopter, as well as a language barrier.
The rescue attempt began with first ropes and pulleys, and eventually pivoted to using airbags and hydraulic tools to attempt to shift the submerged rocks entrapping his legs. According to Ace Petrie, a swift water rescue technician with Surf Life Saving Tasmania, even with the jaws-of-life hydraulic equipment and airbags capable of moving 50 tons, the rocks wouldn’t move.
Throughout the rescue, the entrapped paddler’s friends worked to keep his spirits up and provide hot food.
Efforts to free the trapped Lithuanian paddler continued throughout the night. On Saturday morning, after nearly 20 hours wedged in a crevasse and partially submerged the Lithuanian paddler’s condition began to deteriorate and hypothermia became an increased concern. The rescuers along with the Lithuanian paddler made the decision to amputate the leg in order to save the paddler’s life.
After 20 hours of rescue attempts, rescuers made the difficult decision to amputate trapped paddlers leg
A friend and fellow paddler who works as a doctor in Lithuania helped translate to the best of his ability what was happening for the trapped paddler.
“We did our best to convey the realities of his entrapment as a life versus limb discussion,” shared Mitch Parkinson, an intensive care flight paramedic on the scene. “The decision was only made at the end of every conceivable and exhaustive attempt at his rescue.”
According to Parkinson, surgical amputation of the leg above the knee is something they routinely train for, but it was complicated by being underwater, but the Lithuanian paddler’s hypothermic condition helped to reduce bleeding.
In 20 hours of being trapped in a cold rushing river, Parkinson also shared that the Lithuanian paddler was extremely resilient and calm given the circumstances and was cared for by his friends throughout the ordeal and maintained an “upbeat spirit”.
“I would describe him as probably the most incredible show of strength that I have seen,” said Parkinson on The Project.
“The resilience of the man… was just amazing,” said Ace Petrie, swift water rescue technician. “If I was to write a book I’d call it the will to live.”
The entrapped paddler was then transported to Royal Hobart Hospital where he remains in critical condition.
