Overview

• The pair activated an emergency locator beacon at 7:15pm Wednesday and were found with mild hypothermia.
• A rescue helicopter attempted to reach them but was called off due to conditions, with a walking party locating the hikers overnight and escorting them out Thursday morning.
• The Bureau of Meteorology reported a low near 0°C on Thursday and a forecast high of 6°C with showers at Cradle Mountain.
• A severe weather warning for Friday morning flags possible damaging winds of 50–60 km/h with gusts up to 100 km/h.
• The rescue follows last week’s hypothermia death of a Chinese tourist, as Tasmania’s premier signals openness to measures like more rangers or gear checks to improve safety.