NEED TO KNOW
A cyclist became stranded in rising water for four hours while attempting a river crossing
The rescue was carried out by the Victoria Police Air Wing
The individual was taken to hospital for assessment but was not physically injured
A late-night river crossing turned into a four-hour ordeal for one cyclist — before a dramatic air rescue brought them to safety.
According to Victoria Police, the experienced rider was traveling through the Suggan Buggan area when they attempted to cross the Snowy River just before 8 p.m. But what may have seemed manageable at first quickly became dangerous.
Water levels had risen higher than expected, leaving the cyclist stranded halfway across the river — clinging to reeds with their bike as the current moved around them.
Realizing the situation was worsening, the cyclist activated a satellite communication device, alerting the Rescue Coordination Centre and triggering an emergency response.
The Victoria Police Air Wing was dispatched to the coordinates, arriving overhead and scanning the area in the dark. Officers first spotted another cyclist on the riverbank — and then located the stranded rider nearby, still holding on in the middle of the water.
An officer was lowered from the helicopter and, just after midnight, safely winched the cyclist out — bringing the tense situation to an end.
The 31-year-old was taken to hospital as a precaution, but authorities said they were not physically injured.
Footage of the rescue has since drawn an outpouring of reactions online, with many praising the calm response from both the cyclist and the rescue team.
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“Incredible!!!! Well done guys. I got a bit emotional watching this,” one person wrote.
“What an awesome rescue! They’re so lucky to be safe,” another added.
While the outcome was a positive one, the incident is a reminder of how quickly conditions can change outdoors — even for experienced cyclists — and how crucial preparation can be when things don’t go as planned.
Read the original article on People