POLICE and the vertical rescue team of the Narooma Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) squad were called to Mystery Bay on Wednesday morning when a man became stuck on a cliff.
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Matthew Hibbert, 37, and his family from Sydney were camping at the Mystery Bay camp ground when they decided to spend the morning at the adjacent secluded and spectacular Billy’s Beach.
Mr Hibbert after being rescued said he climbed up the headland on the northern end of beach and found himself stuck on the crumbling rock face near the top of the 8-metre cliff.
His wife then ran back to the campground where she had mobile phone coverage and called 000 while their two daughters waited back at the beach at the base of the cliff.
Narooma police arrived first and assessed the situation, while the VRA volunteers then found a way back around the cliffs to set up an abseil anchor point with which to lower Mr Hibbert.
Strapped to volunteer Steve Urquhart and lowered by volunteer Jeff Garrad, they all made it down safely, allowing the Hibbert family to be reunited.
Mr Hibbert thanked for the VRA volunteers noting how quickly they had arrived, adding that he was not letting the incident ruin the family’s camping holiday.
The Narooma VRA unit meanwhile is always looking for support and new members from the community.
Members meet at the squad headquarters on the Narooma headland next to the Marine Rescue unit on Thursday evenings and inquiries can be directed to Jeff Garrad on 0429 460 755.
