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Hikers lost in Kosciuszko national park rescued within five hours by AI drone
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Two hikers who lost their way in the snowy wilderness of Kosciuszko National Park were rescued within five hours thanks to an artificial intelligence-powered drone, marking a first-of-its-kind mission for Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW). The men, both in their 20s, were reported missing at 7pm on Tuesday after failing to return to a rendezvous point along the Dead Horse Gap track, approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Jindabyne. Their swift rescue highlights the growing potential of drone technology in emergency response, particularly in remote and challenging terrain.
The incident unfolded when FRNSW deployed its remotely piloted aircraft system equipped with thermal imaging and AI detection capabilities. The drone was able to locate the hikers, who had veered about half a kilometer off the track, by detecting their heat signatures in the dark. Simultaneously, the stranded men used a red light from a mobile phone to attract the drone’s attention, demonstrating a cooperative effort between humans and technology. The drone’s built-in speaker allowed rescuers to communicate with the hikers, and its spotlight guided ground teams to their exact location.
Key facts include the rescue timeline: the men were found less than five hours after being reported missing, despite cold conditions and the remote alpine environment. They suffered only mild effects of exposure and declined medical treatment. FRNSW confirmed this was the first time the drone’s AI detection system had been used successfully to rescue missing people. The technology, which can analyze thermal imagery in real time, proved critical in narrowing the search area quickly.
The implications of this rescue are significant for search-and-rescue operations. Inspector Phillip Eberle, regional duty commander for the NSW Alpine area, told the ABC that the drone potentially reduced the search time by several days. “It’s definitely helped make what could have been a long-term incident into a very short-term incident,” Eberle said, adding that without the drone, rescuers might have been searching for much longer. The technology also reduces risks for ground crews by minimizing time spent in hazardous conditions.
Eberle emphasized the broader benefits for volunteer rescuers, noting that faster rescues mean less time on the mountain and reduced danger. “It means less time on the mountain and less time looking for people, and reduced risk so that the volunteers can get home to their families quicker,” he stated. The successful operation underscores how AI drones can enhance efficiency while safeguarding both victims and responders.
Looking ahead, Eberle expressed hope that drone technology will advance further, enabling delivery of emergency supplies to stranded individuals. “We can save putting rescuers at risk overnight and drop a rescue pack to people so they’re OK overnight, and be there first thing in the morning when it’s safer for everyone,” he explained. Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Commander John Marzol urged hikers in snowfields to notify the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) before treks and register for free use of Personal Locator Beacons to prevent future incidents. As AI-driven drones prove their worth, such tools are likely to become standard in wilderness rescue operations worldwide.
