VIDEO: Emergency services rescue five after boat hits weir
A family boating day ended in peril as three adults and two children had to be winched to safety after their boat hit the Penrith Weir on the Nepean River (New South Wales, Australia) and capsized on Sunday afternoon (30Jan22).
HAPPENING NOW: Emergency services are concluding a rescue operation after a boat with five people on board hit the weir at Nepean River and subsequently sunk this afternoon. Three adults and two children were rescued by police helicopter before being assessed and treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics on scene. They have been transported to Nepean Hospital and Westmead Hospital with the children and two adults in a stable condition, and one of the adults in a serious but stable condition. Video footage: Ella Shiravani
Posted by The Western Weekender on Saturday, 29 January 2022
The multi-agency rescue operation involved officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command, PolAir, NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance paramedics, according to the Western Weekender.
Speaking for NSW Ambulance, Peter Van Praag told the Weekender that life jackets most certainly saved the lives of the children involved in the incident.
“When NSW Ambulance arrived five people were in the water being pulled under by the force of the water pouring over the weir, with one adult patient being struck between the boat and weir,” says Van Praag.
“We actually lost sight of the children at one point as they were getting pulled under the raging water.
“It was incredibly difficult for the people on scene, both the bystanders and emergency services to be confronted by this situation where they are helpless and unable to assist in the water.”
All of the occupants were rescued by police helicopter before being assessed and treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics on scene.
A man was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
The boat will be towed to shore for further examination as inquiries into the incident continue.
“NSW Ambulance has responded to this location a number of times in recent months with one person sadly losing their life on Australia Day so it is a real reminder of just how different today’s events could have been,” says Van Praag.
Video footage courtesy of Ella Shiravani.
