**Kayaker's Leg Amputated in Dramatic 20-Hour Rescue in Tasmania**

A kayaker in his 60s had his leg amputated in a dramatic 20-hour rescue operation after becoming trapped in rocks on the Franklin River in Tasmania, Australia. The man, identified as a foreign tourist, was participating in a group kayaking expedition on Friday when his limb got lodged between rocks in a remote section of the rapids.

Emergency teams were alerted to the distressing situation by a smartwatch distress signal received at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Responders arrived at the challenging location and made multiple attempts to free the kayaker that evening, but were unsuccessful. The man spent the night partly submerged in the river while a medical team stayed by his side.

Despite another effort the next morning, rescuers could not release him, and his condition worsened. After consultations with the trapped kayaker, the medical team resorted to amputating his leg using specialized equipment to save his life. Following the procedure, he was airlifted to a hospital in Hobart, where he remains in critical condition.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Tasmania Police, Doug Oosterloo, described the rescue as an "extremely challenging and technical operation," emphasizing that every possible effort had been made to free the man before making the tough decision to amputate his leg. Authorities are in the process of contacting the kayaker’s family.