Lincoln Rock Lookout selfies a boon for Police Rescue

On Monday 14th January 2019, adventure tourist Isaac Ebeling decided to risk a selfie with pizza on Lincoln Rock, munching right on the edge.  As the 17-year-old said look at me to his friends, with a pizza slice in one hand as he the stood up lost his balance and fell backwards over the edge.

“I remember falling and hitting everything. I fell about 10 metres before the first blow on my shoulder, then I fell another 20 metres down the cliff hitting trees and rocks.” he later recalled.

One second he was enjoying pizza at the top of a cliff, the next he was clinging to life, broken, bloodied and severely bruised 30 metres below.

Police Detective Inspector Brad Element confirmed the 17-year-old fell 30 metres down the cliff.  Police Rescue Squad abseiled down to him and arranged for the NSW Ambulance helicopter to winch him back up.

Police Rescue Squad:  “Here we go again”

 

Paramedics treated the teen before he was transported to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition with a broken shoulder blade, 11 fractured ribs, seven cracked vertebrae and broken bones in his foot.   The swelling was so bad; his mum said it made him unrecognisable.

Police have urged people to be careful around lookouts.  It’s a common sight to see people who have climbed safety fences in the national park to pose for selfies by steep, slippery waterfalls or balancing precariously right at the very edge of cliffs.

“The lookouts and trails provide a host of spectacular view points, however the perfect photo is not worth putting your life at risk for”, reinforced Blue Mountains Police Detective Inspector Brad Element.  “Stay away from cliff edges, and always re-main within the fenced areas where they are provided. They are designed to allow you to take in the sights without becoming a casualty”.

But selfie hedonism persists to outdo others on social media.  Do your pose, tilt your smartphone, press the fake shutter sound and share on Instagram with a hashtag and emoji.

Facebook selfie hedonism – “I just wanna be Liked”

 

In 2018, the Blue Mountains Police Rescue Squad undertook on average one rescue a month for people who had fallen from a cliff or become stuck.

“Whilst our rescue operators are highly trained, every rescue deployment is also putting them at risk as well.  “Stay away from cliff edges, make sure you are properly prepared and have supplies and equipment for the out-doors, tell people where you’re going and when you will be back, and keep your-self and your family and friends safe at all times so you get home at the end of the day and get to share your photos with them.” Det. Insp. Element said.

However, ignoring this wise advice, a week after the teenager’s selfie misadventure at Lincoln Rock, Chairman of the Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise (BMEE), Donald Luscombe, ran a promo article in the local paper encouraging creative industries, with this photo.

It shows Bronwyn Kirkpatrick of Creative Contributions holding her Shakuhachi doing a selfie for Brigitte Grant Photography at yes, Lincoln Rock.

Bronwyn making a creative contribution to selfie hedonism.

 

On Sunday 20th September 2020, an enterprising tourist from St Marys in Sydney decided to access the cliff overhang below Lincoln Rock.  However, he slipped and fell off the ledge at around 2pm.

Blue Mountains Police Detective Chief Inspector Scott McAlpine said the 21-year old man was rescued by the Blue Mountains Police Rescue Squad officers who had to again abseil at risk to their own safety down the cliff face.

Three hours later, the Toll Ambulance Rescue helicopter then ferried the injured man to hospital with suspected head and chest injuries, broken legs and a broken arm.

Daytrippers to the Blue Mountains head-bent on grabbing an ego-selfie on the edge of a precipice to text a “look at me” on social media invariably end up flat on the rocks below.

Mountains locals have increasingly been inclined to refer to this dumb day lot as “splat“.

 

“Sit on the edge of the world for the ultimate views and Instagram photo.” – bookme.com.au  (so dodgy)

bookme.com.au Dodgy as!