Overview

• Tasmania Police said a personal locator beacon was activated about 7:15pm Wednesday, providing coordinates that triggered the rescue.
• A helicopter response was called off due to bad weather, and a ground search team reached the pair overnight on the Overland Track south of the summit.
• The hikers, believed to be visitors from mainland Australia, received treatment for mild hypothermia and are being escorted out on Thursday morning.
• The Bureau of Meteorology reported near-freezing temperatures and issued a severe-wind warning for Friday, with possible damaging gusts.
• The operation follows a recent death from hypothermia in the park, as Premier Jeremy Rockliff signals openness to measures such as more rangers or gear checks.