CNN —A kayaker’s leg was amputated during a dramatic, hours-long rescue operation to free him from between rocks on a river in Australia on Saturday, local police said.
His 20-hour ordeal began at about 2:30pm on Friday when he became trapped while kayaking through rapids with a group on the Franklin River, police said in a statement.
Rescuers made several unsuccessful attempts to extract the man between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
“Every effort was made to extract the man before the difficult decision to amputate his leg.”Oosterloo also praised the emergency responders.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this operation in the most difficult of circumstances,” he said.
Persons:
Franklin, Gordon Wild, ”, Doug Oosterloo, ” Oosterloo
Organizations:
CNN, Hobart, Authorities, Gordon Wild Rivers, Police
Locations:
Australia, Tasmania’s, Franklin