A man has been injured using an illegal rock swing in the Blue Mountains National Park yesterday. About 1.45pm (Sunday 25 May 2014) people were allegedly using a giant swing system at Hanging Rock in Blackheath. Inspector Peter Scheinflug, NSW Police Blue Mountains Duty Officer, said the extremely dangerous activity consists of rope being tied to a tree on Hanging Rock point and people jump off a nearby cliff escarpment and free fall until stopped by the rope and pendulum swinging. “Police have been told the 32-year-old took the jump and dropped about eight metres onto a ledge, fracturing both of his ankles and possibly his pelvis. “He continued to swing and came to a stop about 50 metres from the top of Hanging Rock where others extricated him to the top of Hanging Rock as NSW Police Rescue arrived,” he said. “A short time later Ambulance Special Casualty Access Team attended. He was carried a short distance and winched out by their rescue helicopter and flown to Westmead Hospital for treatment “It is shocking people take such risks and need to be warned about the obvious dangers. They are not only risking their own life, but the lives of those whose job it is to rescue them,” Insp Scheinflug said A ranger from NSW National Parks and Wildlife attended and is investigating the alleged breach of their legislation (engage in activity risks safety of self /others).
Posted on: Sun, 25 May 2014 14:25:47 +0000