Specialist Fire and Rescue NSW drone crew locates missing man in bushland – VIDEO - Pitt Town
Published: 30 May 2024 04:14pm
A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew, specially trained in drone use, has located a person missing in bushland near Pitt Town, on Sydney’s north-western outskirts.
NSW Police had a concern for the welfare of the man seen entering bushland yesterday but a ground search into the night proved unsuccessful.
They requested the assistance of FRNSW which dispatched a crew from Leura in the Blue Mountains to the scene off Airstrip Road.
The firefighters are specially trained in the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones to find lost or missing people in challenging environments.
Using the drone’s infra-red heat signature capability, the crew located the missing man, around midnight and immediately provided the man’s co-ordinates to Police and Ambulance crews on the ground.
The man, in good health, was guided out of danger.
Acting Commander of FRNSW’s Aviation Unit, Act Russell Turner, said, “FRNSW’s development of an advanced, systematic method to search for people by drone represents an Australian first for emergency services.
“We are spreading that search and rescue methodology to our drone-trained crews across the state,” Acting Supt Turner said.
Media note – Infra-red FRNSW footage of the drone search is available here: https://vimeo.com/951818849/a8ba7e7579?share=copy [external link]
Updated: 30 May 2024 04:18pm
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
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