The Westpac Rescue Helicopter has today safely extracted a group of five students and an experienced guide who became stranded on one side of the Arthur River in the vicinity of West Takone on Tasmania’s west coast late yesterday afternoon.

The helicopter crew winched the group to safety and returned the party to Wynyard where they were reunited with their families a short time ago.

The students were part of a group of 8 students, two experienced guides and a teacher who were on a school trip to the Arthur River area.

Due to yesterday’s weather conditions and given the party’s preparedness, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was deployed this morning to extract the party.