Eight people and their dog had to be rescued by WA Police Air Wing Officers after going beach camping in severe weather conditions.
WA Police Air Wing officers – with assistance from Pinjarra and Dwellingup Police – conducted a rescue of eight people and a dog from Lake Clifton during last weekend's storm.
About 1.30pm on Sunday 31 May, police responded to reports that a group of eight people and a dog had become stranded on a beach after severe weather conditions caused rising swell and high tides, cutting off access to their location.
The group, aged in their 20's, had been camping in three four-wheel drives and were unable to leave the area during the wild weather after exhausting their food, water and fuel supplies. They subsequently contacted emergency services for assistance.
A Police Air Wing helicopter was deployed from Jandakot with Air Wing officers finding and transporting the group – along with their dog – over three flights to a nearby airstrip, where Dwellingup and Pinjarra Police were waiting to assist.
The rescue was conducted in wind speeds in excess of 50 knots, which is near the upper limits of the aircraft’s operational capability, testing both the crew and aircraft in challenging conditions.
No injuries were reported and all persons were safely returned.
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