HALLS Gap police have warned visitors to the Grampians National Park about wet weather after two rescues in as many days.
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Senior Constable Kelly Harris said a 82-year-old female fell about 200 metres from the Beehive Falls carpark about 4pm on Tuesday.
She said the woman sustained a head injury but was not in a life-threatening condition.
Senior Constable Harris said police and State Emergency Services assisted the woman.
On Monday, a 36-year-old Melbourne female fractured her ankle after she hiked to the top of the Pinnacle with friends.
Senior Constable Harris said the hiker appeared to have lost her footing.
She said the Melbourne woman was stretchered out by SES, police and paramedics before being conveyed to Ballarat for treatment.
Senior Constable Harris warned that wet weather had affected terrain in the Grampians.
“People attending the Grampians need to be mindful of the terrain,” she said.
“If you’re walking be prepared and wear appropriate shoes, be mindful of your surrounding and footing.”
Senior Constable Harris said this year had seen an increase in rescues.
“I believe there’s been a lot of injuries this year because of the excessive rain – it has made the Grampians wet and slippery, even more than usual,” she said.
“There’s certainly been an increase of injuries this year.
“We’re hoping the weather dries up and there might be a decrease in injuries, but people still need to be vigilant in their surroundings.”
Senior Constable Harris said police and emergency services were often hampered in their rescue attempts by people with flat mobile phones.
“Please ensure you have a fully charged mobile phone – a big problem is people seem to have enough charge to call 000 but then it goes flat,” she said.
“Make sure your phone is fully charged prior to entering the park in case the situation changes and you can’t make it out as quick as you planned.”