AFP teams recognised at National Search and Rescue Awards

Members from the AFP Maritime, Air Support, and Search and Rescue teams received commendations at the National Search and Rescue Awards on Thursday, 19 October 2023. 

On Friday, 20 September 2022, the AFP teams were notified of an emergency in the Murrumbidgee River at Kambah Pool. Initial reports indicated that a woman was trapped in fast flowing waters on a rock in the middle of the river and was believed to be 500 metres downstream. 

Numerous members from ACT Policing, Rural Patrol and ACT Fire & Rescue were also in attendance. Officers from Tuggeranong station located the person but had difficulty maintaining visuals due to the width of the river. 

The water level in the river was very high and flowing quickly. Due to the high water level, the river was extremely wide and filled with trees, debris and rocks. 

The Air Support Team, utilising a drone, were able to hover above the person and communicate their exact location to the Maritime members. 

The AFP Maritime members then developed a plan to attempt to rescue the person in a swift water rescue raft. This involved a combination of rafting and wading between shallow points, until they were able to reach the stranded person. 

At that point, the previously reported stranded woman was then identified as a man. 

The man and three Maritime members were in the raft attempting to make their way back to safety when, due to the debris in the river and fast-flowing water, the raft capsized.  

The man was swiftly secured, and the Maritime members were safe. A self-rescue plan was then developed by Maritime who were able to get themselves and the man safely to the western side of the river. 

The Maritime members walked 500 metres through scrub, with the raft, to find a suitable location to cross the river back to the eastern side. 

The Air Support Team proved crucial in locating the man by hovering the drone, as he was well hidden from view in the early stages of the rescue. 

The Maritime members placed themselves at considerable risk in rescuing the man as the river conditions were very dangerous. 

In recognising the team's efforts in conducting this rescue, AFP Maritime, Air Support and Search and Rescue have received commendations at the 2023 National Search and Rescue awards. The commendations are in recognition of outstanding contribution to search and rescue within the Australian region. 

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