Double rescue on Bluff Knoll sees two brought down safely, RAC helicopter deployed to reach hiker near summit

Emergency services rushed to help two injured hikers on Bluff Knoll on Sunday, with the RAC Rescue helicopter called in to bring a man with head injuries down from the popular Great Southern spot. A call was made to emergency services for an injured hiker on Bluff Knoll about 9am on Sunday, a woman in her 50s who had injured her wrist about 2km from the carpark. The Gnowangerup State Emergency Services crew mobilised and began their walk up to the casualty to help her down, but were alerted of a second hiker needing help while on their way to the woman. The second incident in the Stirling Range National Park involved a man in his 80s who had fallen near the summit and sustained head injuries. The RAC Rescue helicopter was called in to assist, flying out to reach the man at the summit while SES crews continued walking to the injured woman. Ground crews reached the woman about 1.20pm, and she was brought safely down and transported by St John WA to Gnowangerup District Hospital with minor injuries. The helicopter reached the man at the summit about 2.20pm, and he was airlifted to Albany Regional Airport and then transported by ambulance to Albany Health Campus with non-life-threatening injuries.