At approximately 10:00pm on Thursday 24^th December 2015 police were alerted to the activation of an emergency beacon at New Pelion hut on the Overland Track near Mt Ossa.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to the area, and landed at the hut around midnight.

Rescue crews found that the beacon had been activated by its owner, on behalf of another walker who was suffering a suspected heart related medical condition.

The patient, a 36 year old man from Queensland, and his walking partner were airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital for further assessment.