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Man Winched to Safety after Being Trapped on Rock Shelf near Bogey Hole
Man Winched to Safety after Being Trapped on Rock Shelf near Bogey Hole
A 69-year-old man has been winched to safety after he was stranded in a hazardous position on a rock shelf near the Bogey Hole in Newcastle on Thursday afternoon. Emergency services, including NSW Ambulance, a rescue helicopter crew, NSW Police, and Fire and Rescue NSW, converged on the scene shortly after 2.30pm.
According to Acting Superintendent for NSW Ambulance, Jake Broughton-Rouse, the situation initially presented a number of unknowns. Crews had to determine the man’s exact location, the nature of his injuries, and the quickest, safest way to reach him.
“It was really a fact-finding mission at first,” Acting Superintendent Broughton-Rouse told reporters at the scene. “We didn’t know if he was critically unwell, but thankfully, he was found in stable condition with an isolated limb injury.”
Authorities said the man was swimming when he was washed onto the rock shelf, about 150 metres below the park’s clifftop area. The high tide and crashing waves made his position precarious, and emergency services initially considered a vertical rescue before deciding on an aerial extraction.
A critical care paramedic reached the man on the rock ledge and discovered he had a suspected fractured ankle. Within moments, the Toll rescue helicopter hoisted the patient to safety and transported him to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
“He was very cold, very wet, and extremely relieved,” Acting Superintendent Broughton-Rouse said. “It’s a timely reminder for everyone to take extra care around the water—especially in difficult weather and surf conditions. This could have been a far worse outcome.”
Emergency crews commended the swift collaboration between the helicopter crew, paramedics, police, and firefighters. They urged the public to stay vigilant and heed safety warnings when enjoying coastal areas, particularly in challenging or changing tidal conditions.
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