Tasmania Police Search and Rescue officers have today assisted two Queensland men who struck difficulty on a kayaking trip on the Huon River, deep in the state’s rugged south-west wilderness.

The men raised the alarm about 1.20pm today by activating their Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

They were located up a steep cliff, northwest of the Cracroft River junction about 3.20pm by a crew on the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and transferred to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Pictures available here.

Due to the significant rainfall and rising river, the conditions meant the men had to abandon the kayaks and walk to shore after being immersed in the cold water.

Both males were suffering symptoms of hypothermia and very fatigued, but otherwise not injured.

Search and Rescue Sergeant Bernard Peters said the men had been walking in the bush for some time after abandoning their kayaks.

“This incident proves once again the importance of being prepared for venturing out in the Tasmanian wilderness. Things can, and often do go wrong, and you need to be equipped for an emergency,” Sergeant Peters said.

“Thankfully in this situation, the men had sufficient equipment for the difficult conditions and were equipped with a personal location device which meant we were able to accurately pinpoint their location when they called for our help.”

The men had been on a kayaking adventure on the Huon River which began on Monday.

“They were in serious danger of succumbing to hypothermia after being exposed to those cold and wet conditions,” Sergeant Peters said.

He said the men did the right thing in carrying a PLB and calling in the authorities when there was still sufficient daylight to utilise helicopter resources.

Police re-iterate the need to carefully monitor the impending weather and reconsider plans if necessary.

The two kayaks have yet to be located but if found, can be reported to police on 131 444.