Latest news with #JamesBoler
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
19 People Stranded in Cars amid Heavy Snowfall Rescued in 'Treacherous' Conditions: Reports
More than 20 people became stranded in their vehicles during a heavy snowstorm near Mount Hotham in Victoria's High Country, Australia over the weekend Travelers got stuck in their vehicles "following more than 50cm of snowfall in the area," the Victoria State Emergency Service reported All 19 people who were trapped in their vehicles at Mount Hotham have since been rescued, ABC News Australia reported 19 people have reportedly been rescued after being trapped in their vehicles during a heavy snowstorm at Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps, Australia. On Sunday, June 7, emergency services conducted a search and rescue operation to recover those who were stranded near Hotham Heights after 'more than 50cm of snowfall in the area,' the Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) announced in a press release on Facebook on Sunday, June 8. All 19 people who were trapped in their vehicles at Mount Hotham have now been rescued, ABC News Australia reported. While 13 were rescued on Sunday, a further six were brought to safety on Monday, June 9. No one remains trapped in the area, The Guardian reported, citing SES and police. The Guardian and 9 News reported that 13 motorists and two hikers were rescued on Sunday after getting trapped in the snow near Mount Hotham the previous night. They got stuck at around 10:50 p.m. traveling along Blue Rag Range Track near Dargo High Plains Road. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Half a dozen of those trapped were forced to spend a second night in their vehicles, ABC News Australia reported, citing SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler. "The rescue operation has actually been pretty treacherous," Boler told the outlet. The conditions up on the mountain have been very, very difficult to deal with." There has been 62 cm of snowfall in the region over the past week, with temperatures falling to -4.3-degree Celsius (24.2-degrees Farenheit), ABC News Australia reported. The Country Fire Association, Wangaratta ski club, and Hotham alpine resort have assisted SES in their rescue efforts, according to The Guardian. 'We were very surprised at the number of vehicles that we did come across yesterday…' SES Unit Controller Graham Gales said, per the U.K. outlet. 'The experience of our drivers going into the Dargo High Plains Road yesterday was even they were having difficulty, and these are people that basically work in the snow all year round.' On June 6, the Alpine Shire Council posted a weather warning on Facebook, stating that travelers should 'avoid the Dargo High Plains Road over the King's Birthday long weekend' due to 'snow and high winds' in the [Victorian] alps. 'If you're heading out on the roads, please drive to the conditions, pay attention to signage and don't drive on roads with closure notices in place,' the post read. PEOPLE has reached out to Victoria State Emergency Services for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
19 People Stranded in Cars amid Heavy Snowfall Rescued in 'Treacherous' Conditions: Reports
More than 20 people became stranded in their vehicles during a heavy snowstorm near Mount Hotham in Victoria's High Country, Australia over the weekend Travelers got stuck in their vehicles "following more than 50cm of snowfall in the area," the Victoria State Emergency Service reported All 19 people who were trapped in their vehicles at Mount Hotham have since been rescued, ABC News Australia reported 19 people have reportedly been rescued after being trapped in their vehicles during a heavy snowstorm at Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps, Australia. On Sunday, June 7, emergency services conducted a search and rescue operation to recover those who were stranded near Hotham Heights after 'more than 50cm of snowfall in the area,' the Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) announced in a press release on Facebook on Sunday, June 8. All 19 people who were trapped in their vehicles at Mount Hotham have now been rescued, ABC News Australia reported. While 13 were rescued on Sunday, a further six were brought to safety on Monday, June 9. No one remains trapped in the area, The Guardian reported, citing SES and police. The Guardian and 9 News reported that 13 motorists and two hikers were rescued on Sunday after getting trapped in the snow near Mount Hotham the previous night. They got stuck at around 10:50 p.m. traveling along Blue Rag Range Track near Dargo High Plains Road. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Half a dozen of those trapped were forced to spend a second night in their vehicles, ABC News Australia reported, citing SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler. "The rescue operation has actually been pretty treacherous," Boler told the outlet. The conditions up on the mountain have been very, very difficult to deal with." There has been 62 cm of snowfall in the region over the past week, with temperatures falling to -4.3-degree Celsius (24.2-degrees Farenheit), ABC News Australia reported. The Country Fire Association, Wangaratta ski club, and Hotham alpine resort have assisted SES in their rescue efforts, according to The Guardian. 'We were very surprised at the number of vehicles that we did come across yesterday…' SES Unit Controller Graham Gales said, per the U.K. outlet. 'The experience of our drivers going into the Dargo High Plains Road yesterday was even they were having difficulty, and these are people that basically work in the snow all year round.' On June 6, the Alpine Shire Council posted a weather warning on Facebook, stating that travelers should 'avoid the Dargo High Plains Road over the King's Birthday long weekend' due to 'snow and high winds' in the [Victorian] alps. 'If you're heading out on the roads, please drive to the conditions, pay attention to signage and don't drive on roads with closure notices in place,' the post read. PEOPLE has reached out to Victoria State Emergency Services for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Treacherous': Six trapped in snow for days
Six people are still awaiting rescue after being trapped in their cars by heavy snow on Saturday night. About 20 travellers in cars became stranded on the Blue Rag Range Track on Mount Hotham about 10.50pm on Saturday. The convoy was snowed-in overnight into Sunday, when 13 people were rescued by Victoria Police and State Emergency Service crews. A man in his 40s was injured in the chaos, after his vehicle rolled, and a fire truck became stuck in the snow after being deployed to help. However, a further six were forced to stay behind, with the temperature falling to -4.3C overnight. SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler said the operation had been 'pretty treacherous'. Rescue vehicles have struggled to get through the snow, and specialised alpine units were being brought in, with the remaining travellers expected to be evacuated via sled. People in the stranded vehicles had food, water and protection from the elements, emergency services said. Dargo Highway Plains Road is closed due to the extreme conditions and is not expected to reopen until after the long weekend. More to come
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Climate
- News.com.au
Mt Hotham rescue continues for second day after 20 people stranded in snow on Saturday
Six people are still awaiting rescue after being trapped in their cars by heavy snow on Saturday night. About 20 travellers in cars became stranded on the Blue Rag Range Track on Mount Hotham about 10.50pm on Saturday. The convoy was snowed-in overnight into Sunday, when 13 people were rescued by Victoria Police and State Emergency Service crews. A man in his 40s was injured in the chaos, after his vehicle rolled, and a fire truck became stuck in the snow after being deployed to help. However, a further six were forced to stay behind, with the temperature falling to -4.3C overnight. SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler said the operation had been 'pretty treacherous'. Rescue vehicles have struggled to get through the snow, and specialised alpine units were being brought in, with the remaining travellers expected to be evacuated via sled. People in the stranded vehicles had food, water and protection from the elements, emergency services said. Dargo Highway Plains Road is closed due to the extreme conditions and is not expected to reopen until after the long weekend.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Mt Hotham rescue work continues after snow strands holiday-makers
Six people remain trapped in their vehicles after becoming stuck in heavy snow on Mount Hotham, in Victoria's high country, on Saturday. About 20 travellers were stranded on the Blue Rag Range Track near Dargo High Plains Road after a snow storm. The region has now recorded 62 centimetres over the week, as this year's ski season officially opened. Victoria Police and State Emergency Service (SES) crews moved in on Sunday, rescuing 13 people. But SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler said half a dozen were forced to spend a second night in their vehicles. "The rescue operation has actually been pretty treacherous," Mr Boler said. "The conditions up on the mountain have been very, very difficult to deal with." Authorities said those still to be rescued had food and water, and were safe from the elements. The temperature fell to -4.3 degrees Celsius last night and more snow was forecast for today. Mr Boler said rescue vehicles were struggling to get through the snow and specialised alpine search and rescue units were being brought in today. He said they would use sleds to help bring the remaining travellers out. "My hope for today is that we actually are able to support anyone that does actually need any further assistance coming down. "We're hoping not to come across any surprises and we're hoping we can have this all wrapped up as soon as possible." On Sunday, a man in his 40s was treated for minor injuries after his vehicle had rolled in the conditions. Dargo Highway Plains Road was closed to traffic due to the extreme weather conditions and was not expected to reopen until after the King's Birthday long weekend. Last year, 1,471 vehicles were turned back at Mount Hotham for failing to carry legally required wheel chains.
