By BEN CAMERON
A CYCLIST in his 50s was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital on Saturday afternoon after coming off his mountain bike in the GWS Anderson Scout Park in Officer.
A crew of around 30, including local CFA and SES volunteers, combined to rescue the man who suffered serious injuries to his neck and back.
An ambulance spokesperson said the man fell 1.25m from the bike track and landed in a creek bed.
Nar Nar Goon CFA Second Lieutenant Justin Seddon said brigades from Nar Nar Goon, Officer, Upper Beaconsfield and Dandenong, plus a Pakenham SES unit, got the man out using rope rescue.
He estimated the man was located approximately 100m into the bush after coming off a bridge.
Six crew members were attached to a stretcher carrying the man by rope, while around another eight assisted.
“It took us around 90 minutes to get him out,” Sec Lt Seddon said.
“There was some pretty steep terrain.
“There were about 30 people involved in the operation.”
The man was airlifted around 5pm.
An Alfred Hospital spokesperson said the man was in a critical but stable condition.
