Difficult rescue of climber underway at Laharum; crews remained overnight

Police received a request for assistance from Ambulance Victoria to locate the injured climber yesterday just before 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Officers from Stawell police located the injured 22-year-old in Mount Stapylton about 7.30pm.

The man had been climbing with five other people when he fell about 2.5 metres, sustaining lower back injuries that left him unable to walk.

Inclement weather inhibited the rescue overnight so the AV Wilderness team camped overnight with the man.

On Thursday, officers from Search and Rescue along with Ambulance Victoria, local SES, Fire Rescue Victoria officers from Ballarat, Hamilton and Warrnambool, and Laharum CFA worked together to successfully bring the man to safety.

The Adelaide man was transported to hospital for treatment.

Halls Gap Sergeant Peter Young said Thursday's rescue was a true representation of multiple agencies working together to achieve a successful outcome.

"I'd like to thank the volunteers who played an integral role in bringing the man to safety today," said Sergeant Young.

EALIER: Emergency service crews have remained with a climber overnight after the man suffered a fall near Laharum on Wednesday night.

The Wimmera Mail-Times understands the area the fall occurred is a very difficult location for emergency services.

According to an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson, crews have remained at the scene with the patient overnight and the situation is ongoing.

"Paramedics were called to an incident in Laharum about 5pm yesterday," the spokesperson said.

"One man is being treated at the scene for upper and lower body injuries."

"Crews remain at the scene."

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Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) spokesperson said that volunteers from multiple branches were working together to rescue the man.

"VICSES volunteers from Horsham, Ararat and Stawell Units are assisting Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria with the rescue of a person who has suffered a fall at Laharum," the spokesperson said.

"With conditions too dangerous overnight, multi-agency crews have returned this morning to devise a rescue plan."

"As it is an evolving situation, we will be able to offer more detail as the rescue concludes."

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