An 18-year-old woman died and another teenager was critically injured after falling while hiking in the Glasshouse Mountains on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Hiking Accident Claims Life on Mount Beerwah
Emergency crews were called to Mount Beerwah around 10:30 a.m. after receiving reports that the pair had fallen a substantial distance.
The woman, from Brisbane, was assessed with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead at the scene. The 18-year-old man, also from Brisbane, was flown to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in critical condition.
The mountain had been closed to hikers due to adverse weather conditions.
Senior Sergeant Kylie McLellan said the climbers fell between 50 and 100 metres while descending the mountain, attributing the incident to light rain that made the terrain slippery. She described the accident as “an extraordinarily sad and tragic” event.
“A group of young people hiking, partaking in some healthy activities … it’s an absolute tragedy,” Senior Sergeant McLellan said. “Our hearts go out to their family and friends.”
The incident involved two separate groups of climbers who were not known to each other. The deceased was with her sister and sister’s boyfriend, while another group rendered first aid.
A complex rescue operation involved Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) mountain and remote rescue teams navigating difficult terrain and weather to reach the pair. Three other members of the hiking group were rescued without injuries.
The mountain was closed between March 9-15 due to weather and is expected to reopen on Monday.
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