A woman who attempted to recover her lost phone found herself upside down and wedged between two boulders for seven long hours, highlighting the risks involved when adventurous spirits meet nature’s unpredictability.
The incident occurred earlier this month when Matilda Campbell, who was out bushwalking with friends, accidentally dropped her phone. Undeterred, she attempted to retrieve her device and slipped, tumbling headfirst down about 10 feet (or roughly three meters) between two large rocks. The crevice was so narrow and deep, her friends struggled to reach her.
Without any phone reception, the group was left with no choice but to seek help the traditional way. Her friends made the trek to find working cell service to contact Triple Zero, Australia’s emergency number, about the increasingly alarming situation. By the time help arrived, Campbell had been hanging upside down for over an hour.
Emergency services quickly mobilized, consisting of the New South Wales (NSW) Ambulance, Cessnock Volunteer Rescue Association, and Rural Fire Service. Specialist rescue paramedic Peter Watts recalled the challenges of the mission, stating, "My initial thought was, how are we going to get her out of here? Because I’ve never come across this."
Watts described the scene, noting they could initially only see Campbell’s bare feet poking out from the rocks. He explained, "She crawled down this little hole and slipped and slid about three meters down a chute and got stuck." The location of the crevice was about 50 meters down an overgrown bush track, making access even more complicated for the team.
Over the next seven hours, responders devised a careful strategy involving the removal of several large boulders. They carefully built a hardwood frame to stabilize the area around Campbell to prevent any falling debris during the rescue. This precaution was necessary as they proceeded to carefully winch out massive stones, with weights ranging from 80 to 500 kilograms (176 lbs to 1,100 lbs).
"We were worried about how any movement could risk shoving her down the hole even farther, making her even harder to reach," Watts explained. The situation required utmost precision, and rescuers took extra care to keep Campbell stable and calm during the tense operation.
Once they managed to move aside the heavy boulders, the crew still faced challenges; Campbell was caught at a tight "S" bend, which complicated her extraction process. The rescuers utilized specialized equipment, including a Tirfor winch, to assist with moving the rocks blocking her entrapped state. After what felt like ages, they began to navigate her safely out of this precarious position.
Throughout her ordeal, Campbell remained remarkably composed. "She was such a trooper," Watts noted. "I would have been beside myself stuck in this sort of situation, but she was calm, collected, and cooperative." Campbell’s cool demeanor through the ordeal made the job easier for the rescue team, demonstrating what many would agree is true character under pressure.
Finally, after continuous labor and careful maneuvering, the moment of relief came — Campbell was freed from her rocky prison. Remarkably, she emerged with only minor scratches and bruises but could not reclaim her phone, which remained trapped behind the very rocks she had braved to recover it.
Afterwards, Campbell expressed her gratitude to the rescue crews through social media, saying, "Thank you to the team who saved me. You guys are literally lifesavers. Too bad about the phone though." Her experience and resilience during the incident have already become the talk among friends and social media followers alike, with many sharing her humorous perspective on the unfortunate event.
This incident sheds light on the unexpected dangers of outdoor explorations. While it may seem harmless to reach for something fallen, without the right precautions, activities can quickly take dangerous turns. Always be sure to assess your surroundings and understand the potential risks, especially when hiking or exploring rugged terrains.
One clear takeaway from Campbell’s adventure — perhaps keep your phone clutched tightly, or even safer, allow the scenery to draw your eyes instead of your device. But mostly, it’s important to appreciate those often unsung heroes: the emergency responders who dedicate their lives to saving others, even when it involves such outlandish rescues like this one.
