Two people have slipped and broken bones while hiking in the Grampians early this week, prompting a stern warning from State Emergency Services about weather conditions and proper footwear.
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A Melbourne woman, 58, slipped and suffered a lower leg break while hiking at MacKenzie Falls about 6pm on Tuesday.
Another Melbourne woman in her late 30s also lost her footing and broke her ankle when she was hiking down from the Grampians Peaks Trail about 2.30pm on Monday.
Both women were taken to Stawell Regional Health for further treatment and x-rays.
Stawell SES Unit duty officer Jenny Rooke said both incidents occurred in wet and hazardous conditions.
“The carry-out at MacKenzies Falls was particularly tricky,” she said.
“It was right at the bottom and took half an hour to get down and then another 45 minutes to carry her back out.
“The track at the falls is very narrow and it was in dark and wet conditions.”
The woman was carried out to safety in a paraguard stretcher.
Up to 12 members from Stawell and Horsham SES units responded, they were met with paramedics and police.
“Her daughter ran up to the top of MacKenzie Falls for phone coverage,” Ms Rooke said.
“She is lucky there were no other breaks, but this does serve as a reminder to hikers to wear proper footwear.
“The weather is so changeable right now and very wet underfoot in the Grampians.”
Ms Rooke said she was concerned other hikers who had rushed to the woman’s aid were also not wearing adequate footwear.
“We were looking at others down there and a chap had runners on,” she said.
“He was slipping and sliding everywhere and they also didn't have any torches or lights, this can be extremely dangerous.
“Proper footwear, clothing and other camping essentials are a must when hiking in the Grampians National Park, especially during this time of year when we start to get a lot more rain and when it starts to get darker a lot earlier in the day.”
