Emergency services responded to three separate rescues on Mt Beerwah last Saturday with one incident claiming the life of a Sunshine Coast woman.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) operations supervisor Leighton Allen said the woman fell about 40m while descending the eastern face of the mountain with a friend.
QAS responded to a Triple 0 call from the mountain and attended along with QFES, QFRS and SES.
Mr Allen said a friend tried to resuscitate the woman after the fall until officers from Maroochydore arrived to take over and declared her deceased at the scene.
“It was a tragic accident that cost her life,” Mr Allen said.
While officers were attending the fatality a man aged in his 30s slid down the same mountain while climbing and injured his shoulder. Emergency services extracted him and transported him to hospital.
Earlier in the day emergency services were again called to Mt Beerwah following a parachute incident during which a 52-year-old man suffered significant injuries to his leg, and possible chest injuries after falling about 30m.
Mr Allen said the man was stable throughout the rescue and was transported by LifeFlight to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Mr Allen urged climbers to do their research, be prepared and aware of the conditions before attempting to climb the Glasshouse Mountains but conceded no matter how prepared people were accidents do occur.
The conditions can be wet, hot and humid and quite rugged, he said.
“Do your research, have a look and see if you’re capable of climbing that mountain,” he said.
He said it was unfortunate that the length of time and resources required to respond to each rescue with each involving about 30 emergency officers impacted on their ability to respond to other incidents.
