Thredbo landslide remembered 22 years on

Sky News Australia

30 Jul 201903:29

Summary

TLDRThe transcript recounts the tragic 1997 Thredbo landslide in which a freak event buried two ski lodges, trapping 19 people. Rescuers struggled to find survivors in the rubble until firefighter Stephen Hearst detected a sound. After 65 hours, ski instructor Stuart Diver was miraculously rescued alive, although his wife, Sally, perished. The emotional rescue marked the only survival in the disaster. Today, the victims are honored with memorial events, including the Thredbo flare run, to commemorate the lives lost during the tragedy.

Takeaways

🚆 Mrs. Ward parked an express train or jet at the beginning of the script.
🏔️ A landslide occurred on July 13, 1997, at Thredbo ski resort, burying two ski lodges under debris.
🌊 The landslide was triggered by leaking water mains, causing mud to slide down steep slopes.
🏠 Nineteen people were trapped under tons of debris, including concrete from the destroyed lodges.
🧑‍🚒 Firefighter Stephen Hearst was part of the rescue operation, trained in urban search-and-rescue.
🔊 Amid the rescue, Stephen Hearst heard a sound, leading to the discovery of a survivor.
🛏️ The survivor was Stuart Diver, who had been trapped under rubble with his wife Sally, who tragically drowned.
🛠️ Rescuers had to work carefully to avoid causing further collapse while trying to free Stuart.
⏳ After 65 hours, Stuart Diver was rescued alive, marking an emotional moment for all involved.
🕯️ The victims of the disaster are remembered annually with memorial events and a Thredbo flare run.

Q & A

What caused the landslide in Thredbo on July 13, 1997?
-The landslide was triggered by leaking water mains, which caused mud to thunder down the steep slopes of the Thredbo ski resort.
How many people were initially trapped under the debris following the Thredbo landslide?
-Nineteen people were trapped under debris and tons of concrete.
What were the immediate challenges faced by the rescuers in reaching the trapped victims?
-The main challenges were the large amounts of debris, tons of concrete, and the fact that the rescuers could hear people calling for help but didn’t know exactly where they were located.
Who was Stephen Hearst, and what role did he play during the Thredbo rescue operation?
-Stephen Hearst was one of the few firefighters trained in urban search and rescue at the time. He played a crucial role in the search and rescue efforts by identifying signs of life under the rubble.
How did the rescuers discover the only survivor, Stuart Diver?
-Stephen Hearst heard something unusual amidst the noise of concrete cutting machinery and chainsaws. He called for silence, and they heard the voice of Stuart Diver.
Who was Stuart Diver, and what happened to him during the landslide?
-Stuart Diver was a ski instructor who became trapped under rubble with his wife, Sally. While Sally drowned, Stuart survived and was found alive after being pinned under slabs of concrete for over 65 hours.
What were the conditions like for rescuers during the Thredbo landslide rescue operation?
-The conditions were challenging, with rescuers having to navigate unstable ground, thick debris, and dangerous concrete slabs that couldn’t simply be removed without risking further collapse.
How long did it take to rescue Stuart Diver after the landslide?
-It took 65 hours after the landslide for rescuers to find and safely pull Stuart Diver from the disaster site.
What emotional response did Stuart Diver’s survival evoke in the rescuers and the public?
-Stuart Diver’s survival was an emotional moment for everyone involved, as it was the only successful rescue, providing a glimmer of hope in an otherwise tragic situation.
How is the Thredbo landslide tragedy remembered today?
-The victims of the Thredbo landslide are remembered through a series of memorial events, including the weekly Thredbo flare run, which is dedicated to those who lost their lives.

Outlines

00:00

🚆 A Desperate Search After the Thredbo Landslide

In the early hours of July 13, 1997, a landslide occurred in the snowy village of Thredbo, Australia, devastating two ski lodges. Triggered by leaking water mains, the mudslide carried away a chalet, crushing another lodge below it where senior staff members were staying. The incident buried 19 people under debris, sparking a desperate search to find survivors. As rescuers began hearing faint voices, they couldn't locate the trapped individuals, making the operation more challenging.

🧑‍🚒 Trained Firefighters Face Grim Odds

Among the first responders was Stephen Hearst, a firefighter trained in urban search-and-rescue. The difficult terrain made the rescue operation perilous, with uneven ground and treacherous conditions. Despite their best efforts, hope dwindled as days passed without locating survivors. Rescuers described the chances of finding anyone alive as slim, with days of effort failing to reveal signs of life beneath the rubble.

👂 A Faint Sound Amidst the Chaos

Just as hopes seemed lost, Hearst heard a sound that caught his attention, despite the noise of machinery and chaos at the site. He called for silence, convinced he had detected something. After a moment of stillness, they realized it was the voice of Stuart Diver, a survivor trapped beneath the rubble for over two days. This marked a turning point in the rescue efforts, as the team refocused on extracting Diver.

⛑️ The Race to Save Stuart Diver

Stuart Diver, pinned under concrete slabs, had survived while his wife, Sally, tragically drowned beside him. Rescuers faced a delicate operation to free him, ensuring the heavy debris wouldn’t collapse further. The team carefully worked to prevent additional falls of concrete that could endanger Diver, using techniques that resembled unplugging a sink. After 65 hours of painstaking work, Diver was finally pulled from the wreckage.

🎖️ A Sole Survivor and a National Tragedy

Stuart Diver, a 30-year-old ski instructor, was the only survivor of the Thredbo landslide. His emotional rescue was a moment of triumph amidst tragedy. The nation rallied behind him, offering prayers and support. Diver expressed his deep gratitude to those who had helped him through the ordeal. Despite the rescue, the incident claimed 18 lives. Today, the victims are remembered annually, with a special dedication during the Thredbo flare run, honoring those who were lost in the disaster.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Thredbo

Thredbo is a ski resort village in the snowy mountains of New South Wales, Australia. In the video, Thredbo is the site of the devastating landslide that occurred on July 30, 1997. The tragedy and the rescue efforts are centered around this location, making it central to the story's theme of survival and loss.

💡Landslide

A landslide refers to the sudden downward movement of earth and debris. In this context, a freak landslide occurred in Thredbo, triggered by leaking water mains, which buried ski lodges and trapped many people. The landslide's destructive force is a key element in the video's narrative of tragedy.

💡Rescue Effort

Rescue effort refers to the intensive search and rescue operations following the landslide. Firefighters, including Stephen Hearst, were involved in digging through the rubble in hopes of finding survivors. The concept of rescue is central to the theme of hope amidst overwhelming devastation.

💡Stewart Diver

Stewart Diver is the only survivor of the Thredbo landslide, who was found alive after 65 hours under the debris. His miraculous rescue becomes the emotional climax of the narrative, symbolizing survival against all odds. Diver’s story of being trapped alongside his wife, who did not survive, adds depth to the themes of loss and hope.

💡Sally Diver

Sally Diver was Stewart Diver's wife, who tragically drowned while trapped under the rubble. Her death contrasts with Stewart's survival and adds to the emotional gravity of the event. Sally’s passing represents the immense loss experienced by those involved in the disaster.

💡Memorial Events

Memorial events refer to the ceremonies held in memory of the victims of the Thredbo landslide. Twenty-two years after the tragedy, the video mentions that events like the weekly Thredbo flare run are dedicated to those who lost their lives. This emphasizes the lasting impact of the event and the continued remembrance of those affected.

💡Concrete Slabs

Concrete slabs refer to the large pieces of concrete that trapped Stewart Diver and others under the rubble. Rescuers had to carefully navigate these slabs during the rescue operation, as moving them improperly could have caused more harm. These slabs are a symbol of both the immense physical challenge and the delicate nature of the rescue effort.

💡Firefighters

Firefighters, particularly Stephen Hearst, played a crucial role in the rescue efforts at Thredbo. They were tasked with searching through the wreckage for survivors, even though the chances of finding anyone alive were considered slim. The presence of firefighters highlights the bravery and resilience involved in disaster response.

💡Survivor

The term 'survivor' in this context refers to Stewart Diver, the sole person to make it out alive from the Thredbo landslide. His survival after more than two and a half days under debris serves as a beacon of hope and perseverance in the video, contrasting with the tragic loss of 19 others.

💡Urban Search and Rescue

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) is a specialized team trained to conduct operations in complex and hazardous environments, such as collapsed buildings. In the video, Stephen Hearst is noted as being one of the few firefighters trained in this field, showcasing the importance of expertise in such life-threatening situations.

Highlights

A desperate search began after a landslide buried ski lodges in the Thredbo village on Wednesday, July 13, 1997.

The landslide was triggered by leaking water mains, causing mud to cascade down the slopes of the Thredbo ski resort.

Two ski club lodges were destroyed, trapping 19 people under tons of debris and concrete.

Rescue teams could hear trapped individuals calling out but were unable to locate them immediately.

Stephen Hearst, a specially trained firefighter in urban search-and-rescue, was on-site during the search efforts.

Hope of finding survivors faded after three days of continuous digging, with the chances described as remote.

Against the odds, firefighter Hearst heard an unusual sound amidst the noise of machinery, which led to a call for silence at the site.

The sound turned out to be the voice of Stuart Diver, the only survivor of the disaster.

Stuart Diver was found alive two and a half days after the landslide, talking and smiling but in shock.

Stuart and his wife Sally had been pinned under the rubble as they slept; unfortunately, Sally drowned during the disaster.

Rescuers had to carefully remove slabs of concrete to prevent further collapse while freeing Stuart.

65 hours after the tragedy, Stuart Diver was successfully pulled from the ruins, becoming an inspirational story of survival.

This was an emotional moment for everyone involved, as Stuart was the only person rescued alive from the landslide.

Stuart Diver expressed overwhelming gratitude for the support and prayers he received during his rescue.

22 years later, the victims of the Thredbo landslide are remembered with memorial events, including a flare run dedicated to those who lost their lives.