VRA Can-Am buggy makes debut during recent rescue mission

Among those to answer the callout for a recent search and rescue mission along the Newell Highway north of Coonabarabran was the Narrabri Volunteer Rescue Association’s (VRA) Can-Am six seater buggy, which covered over 70 kms on its first trip into the scrub.

When the Narrabri VRA received word from the Orana-Mid Western District Police officers to be ready to join the search on the Friday morning, that included the special request for the new $36,000 ATV, as the only responding organisation with a vehicle of its kind.

VRA senior deputy captain Harvey Black and others participated in a line search through thick undergrowth from the “point last seen”, and described the dense scrub as “So thick you had to fight your way through”.

“We were conducting a line search, which involves participants moving in a line abreast, suitably spaced from each other and moving in a set direction. In this instance, with fallen timber and heavy scrub it was very hard work. In some places it was so thick that you had to turn around and go backwards to find a better way. Very difficult,” Mr Black said.

Teams on foot continued these sweeps of country for the whole of the two-day search. Blooming wattle and hopbush made life harder as well.

Along with assistance from a total of four helicopters, VRA, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel, all supervised and directed by NSW Police had teams totalling approximately 30 responders in the field, searching.

At the request of police, the VRA team and buggy were tasked to check overgrown and impassable tracks and washed-out roads beyond the ability of other four wheel drive vehicles.

“This was the first deployment of the Can-Am since it was purchased in May, and we had to inform the police that we had not been able to register it so far, despite ongoing efforts.

“Police gave our Narrabri crew special authorisation to use it for whatever had to be done; by the Senior Police Officer on scene each morning.

“The buggy is something we believed we’ve needed for a long time, as searchers often have to walk considerable distances in rough country to reach their starting point.

“As well, when search teams have finished their task, there is also a weary return to base, and a vehicle that can get through difficult country will make things easier, and a patient in a Stokes Litter can be carried out in safety with our new machine,” said Mr Black.

The buggy was purchased earlier in the year, after considerable fund raising and the VRA Rescue NSW’s government funded replacement of the squad’s primary truck.

This freed up accumulated funds allocated to its replacement.

The new acquisition has been fitted out with some necessary additional equipment, and has its own trailer for transport.

It has proved to be a valuable addition to the squad’s inventory.

It was being used for searching remote locations when the message was received that a helicopter had spotted the missing person, and it hovered over the location until rescuers could be guided in on foot.

He was in remarkably good condition, and was treated by Ambulance personnel before being transported to hospital for further treatment

Harvey Black and the Narrabri VRA team are glad to be out of the scrub, following a successful operation.

This one can be added to the long list of deployments of the squad and its team.

“I’ve been with the squad for 48 years, since the very beginning really, and we can say that we have never been given a job that we couldn’t do, although we have had a couple of very tricky ones,” Mr Black said.

“We have had rail, air and every sort of vehicle crash there is.

“We deal with mountains, rivers and dams, relocate snakes, remove cats, dogs, goats, sheep and cattle from situations, and serve the Narrabri community in any way we can.”

The buggy and supporting truck are back in the rescue station now, along with all the other rescue resources, waiting for the next assignment.

Once again bright and shiny after a good washing and cleaning at a working bee. As a footnote, the registration came through in late August, at last, after a long wait.