Hikers lost in Kosciuszko national park rescued within five hours by AI drone

Lead

Two hikers reported missing in Kosciuszko national park on Tuesday evening were located within five hours in what Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has described as a first-of-its-kind mission using a drone powered by artificial intelligence.

The two men, both in their early 20s, were reported missing at 7pm on Tuesday after they failed to return to a rendezvous point on time while walking the Dead Horse Gap track, about 35 kilometres south-west of Jindabyne.

Coverage Comparison

Both ABC Australia and The Guardian covered the rescue operation, with both outlets reporting that the drone's AI detection system reduced what could have been a prolonged search to a short, swift operation. The Guardian quoted FRNSW Inspector Phillip Eberle saying the technology "definitely helped make what could have been a long-term incident into a very short-term incident". ABC Australia also reported that the two hikers suffered mild effects of exposure but declined medical treatment at the scene.

Key Claims

Both ABC Australia and The Guardian reported that the hikers were found using a drone featuring AI technology and thermal imaging, and that the rescue took less than five hours. The Guardian, however, reported the hikers were found about half a kilometre off the trail, whereas ABC Australia reported their location as approximately 500 meters from the track — a minor discrepancy that does not affect the overall narrative of the rescue.

ABC Australia's coverage provides additional details on the drone's capabilities, including that it carries four cameras, including infrared, and can analyse thousands of images in real time. The outlet also mentions that the drone includes augmented reality mapping and that the hikers attracted attention using a red light from a mobile phone.

Both outlets quote Phillip Eberle, an Inspector and the regional duty commander for the NSW Alpine area. "It's definitely helped make what could have been a long-term incident into a very short-term incident," he told the media. "There's every chance in the world we could have still been out there." Eberle also said the technology means faster rescues and safer conditions for volunteers.

The Guardian's coverage also includes quotes from Inspector Russell Turner, the FRNSW Aviation Unit team leader and chief remote pilot, who explained that the drones are part of a statewide technology upgrade introduced over the past 18 months. The drones, he said, carry four cameras, including thermal ones, allowing the AI to analyze footage in real time.

The hikers suffered mild effects of exposure but declined to be examined at the scene, as reported by both ABC Australia and The Guardian. The hikers were guided out of the park by rescuers following a spotlight from the drone.