Search and rescue teams have been dispatched to section five of the Larapinta Trail, located 55 kilometres west of Alice Springs.
A 46-year-old woman hiking alone activated her personal locator beacon (PLB) around 3 p.m. on Wednesday near Hugh Gorge.
Southern Watch Commander, Senior Sergeant Andrew Dunne, stated that emergency services collaborated with Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife rangers to develop a rescue strategy.
“At approximately 5:40 p.m. last night, a police officer and a St John Ambulance paramedic were flown to the location by helicopter,” he said.
“Due to the challenging terrain, the helicopter was only able to land about 1.5 kilometres away from the woman.”
She was found around 8 p.m. and was reported to be in good spirits.
According to Senior Sergeant Dunne, the woman is believed to have a broken ankle, and a helicopter extraction wasn’t possible because of the rough landscape.
A ground crew set out at first light this morning to assist her and the initial rescue team.
“She will be transported by stretcher to a waiting ambulance,” he said.
“Approximately four police officers, four park rangers, and two Northern Territory Emergency Service volunteers are needed to reach her on foot.”
The hike to her location is about 2.5 kilometres.
Senior Sergeant Dunne praised the woman for carrying a PLB, noting, “That really helps simplify our job.”
