Hikers lost in Kosciuszko national park rescued within five hours by AI drone | New South Wales

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said two hikers who strayed from the hiking trail in Kosciuszko national park were located within five hours using an AI-powered drone, in a first-of-its-kind mission.

Two men in their 20s were reported missing at 7pm on Tuesday evening after they failed to return to their rendezvous point in time.

FRNSW’s remotely piloted system was deployed in the air and was able to use thermal imaging to locate hikers walking the Dead Horse Gap trail, approximately 35km southwest of Jindabyne.

The hikers also used the red light on their cell phones to film the drone in the dark.

The drone’s built-in speaker was able to communicate with the hikers, and the drone’s spotlight was used to direct rescuers on the ground to the hikers in an attempt to direct them out of the park. The pair were found about half a kilometer from the runway.

In frigid conditions, the men were rescued less than five hours after they were reported missing. They were experiencing mild effects of exposure but told rescuers they did not require medical treatment.

The incident was the first time the FRNSW drone’s AI detection system was used to rescue missing persons.

Phillip Eberle, NSW Alpine Fire and Rescue inspector and regional mission commander, he told ABC The technology has potentially reduced search time by several days.

“It definitely helped turn what could have been a long-term event into a very short-term event,” Eberle said.

“We still have a chance to be out there in the world.”

Eberle said drone technology means faster rescues for those stranded, but it also means less risk for rescuers.

“This means less time on the mountain, less time searching for people and less risk so volunteers can get home to their families quicker.”

He said he hopes that in the future, remote technology will advance so drones can drop off emergency supplies and care packages to stranded people while they wait for rescuers.

“We can avoid putting rescuers at risk overnight and leave a rescue package for people to get them well overnight and be there first thing in the morning when it’s safer for everyone,” he told the ABC.

Fire and Rescue commander John Marzol said: “We urge walkers in snowfields to notify the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) before their walk and sign up for the free use of Personal Locator Beacons to ensure they do not get lost in the bush.”