It’s been a busy weekend in the NSW Blue Mountains.
Nine bushwalkers who were lost in the national park, west of Sydney, had to be rescued in two separate operations.
Five boys, aged 15 and 16, were assisted out of the bush and treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries at about 10.30pm on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to Wentworth Falls following reports the group had become lost while bushwalking at about 6.30pm.
A second multi-agency search began just before 7pm on Saturday in bushland near Beauchamp Falls, Blackheath, after reports four men, aged in their 20s, had also become lost while bushwalking.
The group activated a personal locator beacon, which helped a NSW Police helicopter locate them swiftly.
The men were walked out of the bush just before midnight on Saturday.
Great Walks promotes the importance of bushwalkers having a good communication plan and this includes making sure someone knows where you went, what time you left and what time you are expected to return.
And of course always carry a personal locator beacon. Tip: You can rent PLBs for free in the Blue Mountains. Enquire in one of several National Parks offices in the area.