A GME MT410G Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) was used in the rescue of two people after they became ‘hung up’ on their climbing equipment near Butterbox Canyon in NSW on the 13th of April, 2021.
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Australia reported the detection of an emergency beacon in the Blue Mountains National Park. The beacon was found to be registered to a person who was known to be out climbing near Butterbox Canyon.
JRCC Australia transferred coordination to the NSW Police who tasked a rescue helicopter to Butterbox Canyon where they located two climbers ‘hung up’ on their climbing equipment and directed rescue crews to the location.
Fortunately, the climbers were uninjured but due to losing light they were unable to be recovered immediately and had to spend the night out in the elements with rescue crews until they could be safely extracted during the daylight hours.
This serves to remind us how important it is to carry PLBs and EPIRBs and ensure that their registration details are up to date before heading out on any adventure.
For more information on our range of emergency beacons click here.