Two bushwalkers, who have spent the past five nights in the Morton National Park near Nowra, have been returned to safety, NSW Police say.
On Saturday 8 December 2018, police were notified after a 59-year-old man and 60-year-old woman failed to return home after going bushwalking in the Ettrema Gorge west of Nowra.
A joint search operation between South Coast Police District, PolAir, the Westpac and NSW Ambulance helicopters, and the SES located the pair on Thursday 13 December 2018, but due to deteriorating weather conditions, they took shelter for another night.
Today (Friday 14 December 2018), the man and woman, uninjured and in good spirits, were walked back to the entrance of the National Park at Quiera by emergency services.
They were checked at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being reunited with family.
Police urge members of the public planning to bush walk to be well prepared for the conditions they will encounter.
Think before you TREK promotes the benefits of planning ahead for your bushwalking trip by using an easy to remember acronym:
T - Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation and first aid equipment.
R - Register your planned route and tell friends and family when you expect to return.
E - Emergency beacon (PLB's) are available free of charge from NSW Police Force and NPWS.
K - Keep to your planned route and follow the map and walking trails.
Walkers are also encouraged to install the ‘Emergency Plus App’ on their mobile phones, which allows for swift identification of a location by emergency services.
Senior officers from South Coast Police District would like to commend all parties involved in the successful search and rescue operation.
