Six bushwalkers were located safely by emergency services last night after losing their way on a coastal walking track near Helensburgh, NSW Police say.
About 6.30pm yesterday (Friday 19 January 2018) the group entered the track near Otford. Upon their journey, the group became lost.
A 21-year-old woman called police for assistance. A multi-agency response was activated to search for the bushwalkers with Wollongong Police assisted by State Emergency Services, Royal Fire Service, Pol Air, NSW Ambulance and Illawarra Police Rescue.
About 1.00am today (Saturday 20 January 2018), Police Rescue and SES members located the group about 20 minutes from the start of the walk.
The group, consisting of a 21-year-old woman, a 13-year-old, a 10-year-old, an 8-year-old and a 5-year-old, were uninjured and in good spirits.
They were conveyed to Wollongong Police Station where they spent the night.
Police from Wollongong Local Area Command have appealed for groups planning to bush walk in the area to be better 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.
Police also encourage hikers to install the ‘Emergency Plus App’ on their mobile phones, which allows for swift identification of a location by emergency services.
