What began as a bucket-list rafting trip with friends through one of Tasmania’s wildest rivers turned into a high-stakes rescue that would test the limits of human endurance and medical ingenuity. In the unforgiving rapids of the Franklin River, a single misstep led to an intense 20-hour fight against nature. This is the story of resilience, teamwork, and survival where every second counted.
References:
Franklin River Rafting. (n.d.). https://www.gang-gang.net/nomad/franklinriver/franklin03.html
Book your trip with Red Chilli Adventure – the best river rafting company in India. (n.d.). Red Chilli Adventure Sports Pvt. Ltd. https://www.redchilliadventure.com/grading-of-rapids
Ross, M., & Powell, R. (2025, June 28). How one slip on the Franklin River triggered a race to save a rafter’s life. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-29/franklin-river-rescue-man-stuck-lithuanian-valdas-leg-amputated/105420916
Tasmania, P., & Tasmania, P. (2025, July 7). Franklin River rescue team celebrated at special Rotor-Lift event. Pulse Tasmania. https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/franklin-river-rescue-team-celebrated-at-special-rotor-lift-event/
Perry, K. (2025, July 6). AUSTRALIAN STORY wraps up Franklin River rescue in gripping Part 2. TV Blackbox. https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2025/07/07/australian-story-wraps-up-franklin-river-rescue-in-gripping-part-2/
ABC News In-depth. (2025, July 1). Your leg or your life – inside a perilous 24-hour river rescue | Australian Story [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YehThirby5M
ABC News In-depth. (2025b, July 8). The moment rescuers knew they had to harm a dying man to save him | Australian Story [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyH4OZ7z-L8
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