Media release – Tasmania Police, 13 February 2025
Climbers rescued from the Totem Pole at Cape Hauy
Two climbers were rescued from the top of the Totem Pole at Cape Hauy on the Tasman Peninsula overnight.
“About 6pm last night, Police Search and Rescue were notified that two climbers had become stuck at the top of a feature known as the Totem Pole at Cape Hauy on the Tasman Peninsula,” said Senior Constable Callum Herbert from Police Search and Rescue.
“The climbers reported that due to high winds their ropes had become entangled and they were unable to reach safety.”
“Initial attempts to rescue the climbers by helicopter with deployment of a vertical rescue team was aborted due to high winds.”
“In partnership with the Climbing Club of Tasmania Vertical Rescue Team, members of Police Search and Rescue and Ambulance Tasmania attempted to gain access to the Totem Pole via nearby cliffs using a police vessel, this was also unsuccessful due to a significant and dangerous swell.”
“About 11:30pm, rescue teams departed from Fortescue Bay on foot and found the climbers at the top of the Totem Pole.”
“Members from the Climbing Club of Tasmania Vertical Rescue Team conducted a complicated vertical rescue of the two climbers. This involved members of the club partially scaling the Totem Pole in wet, dark and windy conditions. After communication and contact was made with the climbers they were secured to rescue ropes, moved to cliffs on the mainland and as dawn broke they were hauled approximately 50 metres to safety.”
“The climbers were treated at the scene by a wilderness paramedic but aside from being hungry, tired and cold, they had no injuries.”
The climbers were from interstate and had reasonable climbing experience.
“This was a particularly complicated rescue from a sheer sided standing rock 60 metres in the air. It was done at night in cold, wet and windy conditions by a team of dedicated volunteers and they have ours and the climbers heartfelt thanks.”
Four charged over alleged aggravated armed robbery at Perth
Four people have been charged over a targeted armed robbery at Perth.
Police received a call from the victim of the alleged robbery on Tuesday evening after four people known to him forced their way into his residence.
The victim was physically assaulted by one offender who was in possession of a baseball bat, but not seriously injured.
The alleged offenders then left the scene with the victim’s vehicle, wallet and phone and a large amount of his property.
Police quickly responded, and located the stolen vehicle a short time later at a Newnham residence.
Four people – including a 32 Newnham woman, 29 year old Westbury man, 35 year old Newnham man, and 20 year old Launceston man, were located with the vehicle and arrested by police.
All four have been charged with aggravated armed robbery and motor vehicle stealing and appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court yesterday.
They are due to appear again on March 11.
Police would like to reassure the public this was a targeted incident involving people known to each other and there was no threat to the wider community.
Investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
