A woman named Matilda Campbell found herself trapped upside down among rocks for seven long hours after attempting to retrieve her phone, which had slipped between two large boulders. This incident took place in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, approximately 75 miles from Sydney, as she was out enjoying some scenic views with friends.
During their outing, Campbell dropped her phone and, in a bid to get it back, she squeezed herself through the narrow rock crevice. Unfortunately, she miscalculated her movements and ended up slipping down to the bottom of the 10-foot-deep (about three meters) hole, wedged tightly between the boulders. To complicate matters, no one had phone service to call for help.
Her friends initially made attempts to pull her out, but after realizing the situation was beyond their capability, they left the site to call for emergency assistance using their own phones. The NSW Ambulance later reported, "The patient had been hanging by her feet upside down for over an hour by this point," emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Despite the fear and panic the ordeal could inspire, Campbell remained remarkably composed. When emergency services arrived, they faced the challenging task of accessing her. Peter Watts, the rescue paramedic, spoke about the unique challenges presented by Campbell's predicament, stating, "My initial thought was, how were we going to get her out of here?" He had never encountered such a situation during his decade-long career. Team members quickly put their heads together and devised a plan to extract her vertically from the crevice by removing several large rocks.
The rescue operation proved to be labor-intensive and risky, as they needed to shift six boulders weighing from about 200 to 1,100 pounds to safely access Campbell. Removing the last boulder, particularly heavy, required using specialized equipment to prevent it from slipping backward and causing her serious injury.
After around four hours of painstaking work, they finally created enough space to reach her. She had twisted herself during her fall, forming what rescuers described as an ‘S’ shape within the crevice. To extract her safely, they had to maneuver her body carefully to avoid causing distress or moving her too far down the opening. "Once we got her hips out, we had to move her legs back around to the left-hand side to get her shoulder out," Watts elaborated.
By around 4:30 PM, they successfully rescued Campbell. Though disoriented and tired, she only suffered minor injuries: some scratches and bruises, and she was examined at the hospital for any underlying issues. It was noted she was dizzy and temporarily unable to walk as all the blood had rushed to her head during her extended upside-down position.
Upon her release, Campbell reflected on the event and thanked the rescuers, calling them literal lifesavers. "Too bad about the phone, though," she added with humor, noting the irony of losing the very device she risked so much to retrieve. Unfortunately, her iPhone remained stuck deep within the crevice and could not be salvaged.
While Campbell's experience might initially seem amusing—how far would one go to fetch their phone?—it serves as a poignant reminder of the potential dangers of pursuing something as seemingly trivial as a dropped phone, especially when adventuring outdoors. Her friends and rescuers were grateful for her calmness during the incident, which undoubtedly aided the complex rescue efforts. “She was not panicked whatsoever... very impressive,” said Watts, highlighting her fortitude during a traumatic ordeal. Indeed, it remains commendable how Campbell maintained her composure throughout those tense hours, reflecting the human spirit's resilience even when faced with unforeseen dangers.
Going forward, this incident may resonate as not just another peculiar tale, but as cautionary advice for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Sometimes, letting go of material possessions may not only save you from awkward situations, but can also help keep your adventures enjoyable and safe.
