Emergency services have been hailed after saving a man who fell down a sand dune on a beach in Victoria, breaking both his legs.
The man was walking three dogs at Levy’s Point Coastal Reserve in Warrnambool when they ran down the 30-metre dune, pulling him down with them at around 7.50am on Wednesday.
He fell and broke both his legs, Fire Rescue Victoria said.
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A joint effort by FRV, Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police and SES crews managed to rescue the man, despite safety concerns that the dune would collapse onto emergency personnel.
The man had also fallen near the ocean, with waves crashing into him, making it an increasingly dangerous situation as he was stranded there, unable to move his legs.
Rescue crews were able to park at a nearby car park, and took an SES 6-wheel Polaris off-road vehicle to get as close to the scene as possible.
Crews then had to carry their equipment through bushland and through the sand to get to him.
Victoria Police were able to pull the man away from the water until rescue crews arrived.
The man was finally put into a Victoria Ambulance helicopter and taken to hospital.
“The police led the way, FRV crews carried equipment and looked after the dogs, the SES drove the vehicle and Ambulance Victoria paramedics treated the patient,” FRV Acting Commissioner Greg Kinross said.
“Luckily the man had his phone on him, and was a local, so he was able to provide us with accurate information about his location.”
“This was an amazing example of all agencies working together, leading to a positive outcome for the patient.”
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