The mother of one of the bushwalkers winched to safety from Newnes on Sunday morning has thanked Lithgow for its response.
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“People were amazing, everyone was so helpful,” Christine Howard said.
“I just want to thank the town – it was amazing. I just can’t get over it.”
All three bushwalkers were safe and well after a very cold night out in the bush.
The hikers, all in their late 20s, activated their EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) at about 6.45pm on Saturday, July 7 in the vicinity of Tiger Snake Canyon at the Newnes Plateau.
One of the bushwalkers suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, which worsened in the cold weather.
They were found at about 10am on Sunday morning, July 8.
Police, NSW Ambulance and Lithgow Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) had worked to find the three, who were then assessed by paramedics.
The EPIRB was registered to a man from a Canberra address, who advised emergency services his daughter, another woman and a man, all aged 28, had taken it during a hike in the Tiger Snake Canyon.
They had notified their families of what they were doing and when they should be expected back.
A search resumed at 7.30am on Sunday morning involving Polair and air ambulance. A command post was established at Newnes Plateau with Chifley Police District officers co-ordinating the rescue effort.
About 10am police and air ambulance located the three missing bushwalkers.
They were winched to safety and attended by paramedics.
“They were very relieved to hear the helicopters in the morning,” Ms Howard said.
