A tourist's leg was amputated during a 20-hour rescue mission while traveling internationally.

A man in his 60s, who was visiting from another country, found himself in a life-threatening situation while kayaking in a remote Tasmanian river. As he and a group of kayakers navigated through a difficult rapids section of the Franklin River on Friday afternoon, his leg became trapped between rocks. Despite the group's efforts to free him, the man remained stuck for hours.

Fortunately, his smartwatch was equipped with a feature that triggered a call for help about an hour later. Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene, and what followed was a 20-hour long rescue operation that was described as "complex and protracted". Throughout the evening and overnight, the rescuers made several attempts to free the man, but unfortunately, his condition continued to worsen.

As the morning arrived, the decision was made to amputate the man's leg in order to save his life. With the successful amputation completed, he was airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital in critical condition. It was reported that he had been partially submerged in the river during the rescue efforts.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Doug Oosterloo of the Tasmania Police praised the dedication and professionalism of everyone involved in the rescue. The team included surf life savers, State Emergency Service volunteers, firefighters, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Oosterloo acknowledged the challenging and technical nature of the rescue and expressed gratitude for the many hours spent trying to save the man's life.

According to the police, the man was an international visitor, and efforts were being made to contact his family. It was also revealed that the man was wearing a Garmin InReach watch, which has the ability to communicate via satellite, making it useful in remote areas with no mobile network coverage.

The location of the incident was not disclosed, but it is known that the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, located near the west coast of the state, is a popular spot for kayaking. For those looking to stay informed on the latest news, sports, politics, and weather, the 9News app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. With this app, users can receive notifications directly to their smartphones, ensuring that they are always up to date.

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