Mt Hotham Rescue: Holidaymakers Stranded by Snow
- A group of travelers are stranded on Mount Hotham in Victoria's high contry after a snowstorm.
- Victoria Police and State Emergency Service (SES) crews rescued 13 people on Sunday.
- SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler described the rescue operation as "pretty treacherous" due to the arduous conditions on the mountain.
Heavy snow on Mt hotham has trapped holidaymakers, triggering a challenging rescue operation. Six individuals remain stranded in their vehicles after a weekend snowstorm,with temperatures plummeting and treacherous conditions hindering rescue efforts by Victoria Police and SES crews. The Dargo High Plains Road is closed, further complicating matters, and will likely stay shut until after the King’s Birthday long weekend.Search and rescue teams are using snowmobiles and sleds to reach the stranded and provide assistance. For comprehensive coverage, check out News Directory 3. Discover what’s next for the stranded travelers and the reopening of critical roadways.
Mount Hotham Snow Traps Travelers; Rescue Underway
A group of travelers are stranded on Mount Hotham in Victoria’s high contry after a snowstorm. Rescue efforts are underway to assist those trapped by the heavy snow, which has accumulated to 62 centimeters over the past week.
Victoria Police and State Emergency Service (SES) crews rescued 13 people on Sunday. Though, six people were forced to spend a second night in their vehicles as rescue operations faced significant challenges.
Crews used snowmobiles to reach the stranded travelers on Sunday.
(victoria State Emergency Service)
SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler described the rescue operation as “pretty treacherous” due to the arduous conditions on the mountain. Temperatures dropped to -4.3 degrees Celsius, and more snow is expected.
Authorities confirmed that those awaiting rescue have sufficient food and water and are protected from the weather. Specialized alpine search and rescue units are being deployed with sleds to assist in bringing the remaining travelers to safety.
On Sunday, a man in his 40s was treated for minor injuries after his vehicle rolled over.Dargo Highway Plains Road remains closed to traffic because of the extreme weather.
“The rescue operation has actually been pretty treacherous,” Mr. Boler said.
What’s next
Authorities hope to complete the rescue operation as quickly as possible, ensuring the safety of all stranded travelers. The Dargo High Plains Road is not expected to reopen until after the King’s Birthday long weekend.