A tragic rafting incident on the remote Franklin River in the World Heritage Wilderness Area has claimed the life of a 49-year-old woman from southern Tasmania. The victim drowned on Thursday afternoon after her raft flipped and she became caught in the rapids, despite attempts at CPR by her fellow rafters.
This fatality led to a major search and rescue operation to extract the remaining 11 people from the stranded group, who were left without essential gear due to the river loss, prompting a challenging helicopter retrieval by Tasmania Police and Ambulance Tasmania due to the rugged conditions.
Media release – Tasmania Police, 4 October 2025
Woman dies in Franklin River rafting incident
Search and rescue teams have completed a major operation to extract 11 people stranded on a rafting trip on the Franklin River, deep in the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area.
Tasmania Police Search and Rescue officers, helicopter resources and Ambulance Tasmania wilderness paramedics were involved in the treatment and retrieval of the group on Friday, near the Livingston Rivulet and the Coruscades rapid on the Franklin River.
With permission from her family, sadly Tasmania Police can today confirm a 49-year-old woman from southern Tasmania drowned on Thursday afternoon.
Initial investigations indicate her raft flipped and she was caught in rapids.
Members of the rafting party performed CPR on the woman at the scene, but she could not be revived.
No other members of the group – which included the woman’s partner – suffered serious physical injuries.
Much of the group’s camping gear such as tents, tarps and clothing was lost in the river on Thursday, which put the rafters’ ongoing safety at risk due to the extreme conditions.
Helicopter resources were deployed on Thursday afternoon but were unable to access the remote area due to challenging weather and limited visibility.
A helicopter crew returned on Friday morning and was successful in winching all members of the group from a campsite near the Coruscades rapid and out to Strahan.
Police investigations are continuing but it is believed the group of friends comprising Tasmanian and interstate residents were experienced in the Tasmanian outdoors and had organised the trip privately.
The incident occurred on the fifth day of a planned 10-day rafting adventure in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
Tasmania Police Marine and Rescue Western Division Acting Inspector Russell Judges said the retrieval was a difficult operation due to the remote and rugged location.
“This is a tragic incident in what was planned as an adventure for a group of friends who shared a passion for the Tasmanian wilderness,” Acting Inspector Judges said.
“A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and their loved ones at this difficult time.”
Images courtesy Tasmania Police.
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