What began as a scenic hike in the New South Wales Hunter Valley turned into a harrowing ordeal for 23-year-old Matilda Campbell. While hiking with friends near Laguna, she accidentally dropped her iPhone into a crevice between two boulders. In an attempt to retrieve it, Campbell fell nearly 10 feet and became wedged upside down, with her feet caught between the rocks.
For seven hours, she remained suspended as her friends frantically tried to free her but were unsuccessful. Rescue services were eventually called, and multiple units from the Cessnock Volunteer Rescue Association and Rural Fire Services arrived at the scene. In an extensive effort, first responders had to remove seven large boulders, some weighing up to 1,000 pounds, to free Campbell.
Once freed, she was transported to the hospital, suffering from a cracked vertebra, along with scrapes and bruises. While Campbell was fortunate to be rescued, her iPhone, unfortunately, wasn't recovered.
After the incident, Campbell thanked the NSW Ambulance team on social media, stating, "You guys are literally lifesavers. Too bad about the phone though."
This extraordinary rescue highlights the unpredictability of outdoor adventures and the importance of being cautious while hiking in rugged terrains.
