Third Grampians rescue prompts warning

THE State Emergency Service and Victoria Police have warned visitors to be aware of conditions in the Grampians after rescuing three hikers in a week. 

Emergency services were called to the Grampians about 4pm Saturday after a 59-year-old Terang woman suffered a knee injury near the base of Mount Rosea. 

SES, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria officers hiked 4.9 kilometres from Burra Huts to the woman.

The woman was taken to Stawell hospital with suspected hypothermia.

Stawell SES controller Alan Blight said the rescue was in treacherous conditions and the continued recoveries were often preventable. 

Mr Blight said the woman attempted to complete the hike before the weather turned.

“In a way it’s frustrating,” he said. 

“If you’re trying to beat the weather or dark then it’s best not to try at all. Start earlier or go another day.”

Last week a 42-year-old Ballarat woman and a 23-year-old South Australian female both slipped on the Pinnacle Trail and required rescuing in separate incidents.

Mr Blight said conditions were poor all week, particularity in Saturday’s rescue.

“It probably the most strenuous of the three,” he said. 

“It was 8 degrees but felt like 3, raining 90 per cent of the time we were there and was a 4.9km walk in and 4.9km walk out in poor conditions with no light.”

Halls Gap sergeant Scott Olsen said there has been an increase in rescue calls and asked visitors to be aware of conditions in the Grampians.

“We’ve had an unusually high number recently,” he said. “Three in a week is significant.”

Sgt Olsen said hikers should be aware of weather conditions.

“Saturday, we all knew it was going to be wet, cold and windy, we’ve known for a long time,” he said. 

“In the Grampians it’s sunshine one minute pouring the next. You don’t always see it come over the mountain.”