General News
29 October, 2025
Emergency services lead high-flying rescue
AIR ambulance crews performed a precarious rescue on the Great Ocean Road last week.
Last Thursday a 23-year-old German national had to be rescued after falling from a cliff.
Cobden police station Acting Sergeant Troy Beames said police believed the incident had occurred when two men left the designated walking area to take photos.
“Two males walking along the Great Ocean Walk above Gibsons Steps Beach – they have moved off the marked walking track and approached too close to the cliff edge to take photos of the scenery,” he said.
“Part of the cliff edge gave way causing one man to drop 15 meters straight down, but luckily he landed on a ledge.
“The ledge was situated approximately 35-40 meters above the beach and rocks below.”
Act Sgt Beames said it was determined a high-angle rescue would prove “too risky” due to the lack of anchor points and the fragile cliff edge, which required the attendance of a specialist air unit.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said specialist crews had responded to the incident just before 12.40pm, alongside other agencies such as Victoria Police, State Emergency Services (VICSES) and the Country Fire Authority.
“Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics were on scene supporting our emergency services partners,” the spokesperson said.
“Specialist air ambulance helicopter crews, including Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) flight paramedics were dispatched to assist with the winch retrieval of a male patient.”
The Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said the man was assessed and treated by the ALS paramedics and MICA flight paramedics after being winched to safety.
“He has been transported by air ambulance to Royal Melbourne Hospital and is believed to be in a stable condition,” the spokesperson said.
A VICSES spokesperson confirmed the attendance of its Port Campbell unit.
“VICSES Port Campbell unit volunteers were called to provide support following reports of a patient who had fallen down a cliff near Princetown,” the spokesperson said.
“Crews attended and assisted in making the scene safe in support of Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria.”
Act Sgt Beames said the man was lucky to have avoided death, and urged the community to stick to the designated areas when visiting the iconic coastal landmarks.
“This is a timely reminder for walkers and sightseers to stay on the marked paths throughout the Port Campbell National Park,” he said.
“While the cliff tops look safe and stable from above, the erosion underneath is significant in many places and the cliff edges are extremely brittle and dangerous.
“The man was exceptionally lucky to have landed on a ledge rather than falling all the way to the base of the cliff.”
Act Sgt Beames thanked emergency services for their diligent efforts to rescue the man.
“The skill and courage of the HEMS crew cannot be understated – this was a difficult and dangerous rescue which they performed flawlessly,” he said.
“I’d also like to highlight the efforts of the SES crew to secure the male until HEMS arrived and the assistance of Parks Victoria members who kept the scene safe.
“I hope our local community and visitors understand and appreciate just how lucky we are to be serviced by so many highly skilled emergency service crews and volunteer agencies throughout this area.
“Without the team-work, knowledge and skills displayed by the SES, CFA/FRV, AV, HEMS and Parks Victoria members who attended the scene, the outcome of this incident could have been far more dire.”
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