Mansfield fatality

[layback40]

Earlier today there was a fatality near Mansfield.
Some one had a fall from a rescue helicopter during a rescue.
That part of Vic is now crawling with authorities & probably will be the case tomorrow.
It is probably a good time to stay away from up around Mansfield ~ Woods Point today & tomorrow.

[Richo]

Yeah, near Macs Cove, a sixty odd year old bloke with an ankle/leg injury from bush walking.

It would appear the helicopter paramedic may not have had him harnessed in the lift sling properly, and he has slipped out and fallen some distance causing terminal injuries.

Bugger.

Not pointing fingers, just what I've heard and what it may look like.

[ohmygrodd]

Just had dinner with friends one of whom is a helicopter engineer/fitter. I mentioned reading this post this morning and he said he had received e-mails that were mass-issued to relevant people in the industry regarding this incident. All of the "sling" type apparatus (can't remember the correct term he called it) were to be grounded and not used until further investigation.
These slings are loops that are placed under the arms of the person being lifted and that person is supposed to hold on with arms under/below the sling until they are in the chopper. It seems that when the person was almost at the top of the lift he released his grip and reached up and out to the winch man in the chopper thereby releasing the sling's hold on him and he slipped straight out and down. No fault of any of the chopper crew, they risk their own lives every day for the benefit of others.
A horrible situation whichever way you look at it.

[layback40]

Originally Posted by ohmygrodd

Just had dinner with friends one of whom is a helicopter engineer/fitter. I mentioned reading this post this morning and he said he had received e-mails that were mass-issued to relevant people in the industry regarding this incident. All of the "sling" type apparatus (can't remember the correct term he called it) were to be grounded and not used until further investigation.
These slings are loops that are placed under the arms of the person being lifted and that person is supposed to hold on with arms under/below the sling until they are in the chopper. It seems that when the person was almost at the top of the lift he released his grip and reached up and out to the winch man in the chopper thereby releasing the sling's hold on him and he slipped straight out and down. No fault of any of the chopper crew, they risk their own lives every day for the benefit of others.
A horrible situation whichever way you look at it.

I think that if I was being winched up I would want a full harness on me. & a safety line into the chopper before it was removed.