The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has begun its investigation into a boating accident in Western Australia's Kimberley region that left several people in hospital with serious injuries.
Key points:
- Multiple agencies will be involved in the investigation
- There are 12 patients in Royal Perth Hospital
- Several others were taken to Broome Hospital on Friday
On Friday morning, 28 people were on board the tour boat Falls Express when it ran into trouble at Horizontal Falls, a popular tourist attraction about 250km north-east of Broome.
A dozen patients were flown to Perth overnight before being taken to Royal Perth Hospital where they remain in a stable condition.
Their ages range from mid-forties up to 70 years of age and while none are in intensive care, nine of them remain in the hospital's trauma ward.
A major rescue mission was undertaken to airlift injured people out of the remote location after multiple passengers were launched into crocodile-infested waters just after 7am on Friday.
Nearby Koolan Island was set up as a temporary triage zone after six aircraft, six doctors and six flight nurses were called in to deal with the emergency.
On Friday night at Jandakot Airport, several passengers were carried off Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft on stretchers before being transferred to a large ambulance.
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Earlier on Friday, other passengers — including some who were seen wearing visible bandages — were taken to Broome Hospital.
On Saturday morning, a spokesperson from the WA Country Health Service said two people remained in Broome Hospital in a stable condition.
Multi-agency investigation
Regional Police Commander Brad Sorrell said the investigation would involve a number of agencies, including WA Police, Worksafe and national transport authorities.
"At the moment, the details of that incident are still under investigation and the relative authorities have been referred to the scene and will be investigating," he said.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is due to dispatch two inspectors to the remote site on Saturday to begin its investigation.
AMSA has issued a prohibition notice for the Falls Express, which is operated by Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures.
Such notices are issued when the authority believes any activity poses an immediate threat to the health and safety of any person.
"Activity cannot be started again until the inspector is satisfied that adequate action has been taken to remove the threat," AMSA explains on its website.
In a statement on Friday, the tour operator said it was working with authorities and emergency services to manage the incident.
Horizontal Falls, an iconic tourism spot in the north, is host to regular jet boat tours through the fast-rising Kimberley tides.
The falls are a natural phenomenon where 10 metres of water surges through two narrow chasms at Talbot Bay.
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Called Garaangaddim by traditional owners, the falls have been described by David Attenborough as "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world".
The coastline is, however, treacherous with big tides, whirlpools and strong currents.
Posted , updated
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2022-05-28 01:53:51Z
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