Police Air Wing Rescues Cyclist From Snowy River
- A 31-year-old cyclist was rescued from the Snowy River in remote far-east Gippsland on April 7, 2026, after becoming stranded in rising waters for several hours.
- The incident began just before 8:00 PM on April 6, 2026, when the cyclist attempted to ride across the river at Suggan Buggan.
- The cyclist, described as experienced and well-equipped, spent four hours in the water clinging to reeds to stay afloat while awaiting rescue.
A 31-year-old cyclist was rescued from the Snowy River in remote far-east Gippsland on April 7, 2026, after becoming stranded in rising waters for several hours.
The incident began just before 8:00 PM on April 6, 2026, when the cyclist attempted to ride across the river at Suggan Buggan. According to reporting from Mirage News, the water level had risen higher than expected, leaving the rider stranded with their bicycle halfway across the river.
The cyclist, described as experienced
and well-equipped
, spent four hours in the water clinging to reeds to stay afloat while awaiting rescue.
Emergency Response and Rescue
To signal for help, the cyclist activated a satellite communication device. This action alerted the Rescue and Coordination Centre (RCC), which provided the necessary location coordinates to dispatch emergency services.
The Victoria Police Air Wing was deployed to the remote area. While scouring the landscape, officers spotted another cyclist on the riverbank, which assisted them in locating the stranded rider in the middle of the river.
Just after midnight on April 7, 2026, a rescuer was winched down from the police helicopter to extract the cyclist from the water.
Following the rescue, the 31-year-old was transported to a hospital for medical assessment. Authorities confirmed the cyclist remained physically uninjured.