Students, teacher rescued from mountain walking track

Keira Jenkins | February 23, 2024

A teacher and a group of six students are “in good spirits” after being rescued from a southeast Queensland national park.

The group had become lost at Mt Barney National Park in the scenic rim and emergency services were called just before 8pm on Thursday.

After spending the night stranded on the mountain, emergency services found the group about 5am on Friday.

A 15-year-old girl has been taken to hospital with heat exhaustion symptoms.

“All other patients are travelling well and in good spirits and being fed and given some water now,” said Ben Millington, of the Queensland Ambulance Service.

There are four maintained walking tracks around the base of Mt Barney, according to the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

All four are rated grade four and recommended for experienced bushwalkers.

There are a number of routes to Mt Barney’s summit, which require rock scrambling and climbing skills.

“It is quite a tough climb up Mt Barney and the biggest thing is to let people know that you’re going, to go in groups and just to be prepared,” Mr Millington said.

“Have enough food and water and appropriate clothing for overnight if that’s what you plan to do.”