Five people rescued in 48 hours from Tasmania's rugged south-west
Emergency services in Tasmania have rescued five people in the space of 48 hours from Tasmania's rugged south-west.
The five bushwalkers were saved in three rescue operations that began on Saturday when two German men were airlifted out of the region.
The German hikers had been 12 days into a notoriously difficult 18-day bushwalk from Cockle Creek to Federation Peak.
Record rain earlier in the week had made conditions treacherous.
The most recently rescued person was a 46-year-old woman who was walking towards Lune River when she was separated from her son and was unable to find the track.
Her son raised the alarm and she was located by the police rescue helicopter a short time later.
It was the third time the police rescue helicopter was dispatched over the weekend.
Senior Constable Josh Peach said in the other instance the rising Gordon River left two Tasmanian men stranded.
The men, aged 49 and 55, had waited two days to cross the rising river but were unable to do so.
"According to them the river was actually about to break into the campsite," he said.
"They weren't panicking, they were well prepared, they had plenty of food, but in the end they realised they were just not going to make it out."
It took rescuers two attempts in high winds to winch them to safety, cold but unhurt.
Senior Constable Peach urged bushwalkers to be prepared.
"These walking groups have done the right thing but please, plan your trip," he said.
