Members of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) have praised a number of bystanders who appear to have saved an unconscious man, north of Gresford, this afternoon. 

At 4.10pm on Friday 14 January, the WRHS was tasked by NSW Ambulance to the Chichester State Forest in Upper Allyn following reports a person was pulled from a watering hole at Ladies Well.

Due to the location, and a lack of access for emergency services, the chopper’s Critical Care Medical Team (CCMT) had to be winch-inserted 150-feet into the patient, who was positioned on the opposite side of the river.

“Apparently, the man – believed to be in his mid-20s – was caught under turbulent water between 90 seconds and two minutes,” a WRHS spokesperson said.

“He was pulled unconscious from the water by bystanders, who performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on him until our crew was dropped in.

“The youngster was further stabilised by the CCMT team and placed in a winch stretcher.

“He was then hoisted aboard the helicopter and airlifted direct to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition for further treatment and observation.”

The situation, however, could have had dire consequences if not for the quick-thinking actions of the bystanders, according to the spokesperson.

“Our crew commends their fantastic efforts,” he said.

“They have most certainly saved the man’s life by continuing to apply CPR until medical assistance arrived.

“Sadly, this is the second time we’ve been tasked to this location within a week under the same circumstances.”

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