Kayaker Has Leg Amputated After Being Trapped Between Rocks for 20 Hours: 'Difficult Decision'

The man's leg was amputated on Nov. 23 after several attempts to extract him were "unsuccessful," police said

A kayaker had their leg amputated during a rescue operation after they became stuck between rocks on a river in Australia for more than 20 hours.

According to a statement from the Tasmania Police on Facebook, the man, who is in his 60s, was kayaking with a group “when his leg became wedged between rocks in an area of rapids” on the Franklin River on Friday, Nov. 22.

Police said a call for assistance was first made at around 3:30 p.m. local time and “several attempts were made to extract the man yesterday evening [Nov. 22] and overnight," but they were not successful.

“The man was made as comfortable as possible, as he remained partly submerged in the River.  A medical team remained with the patient for the duration of the response," the statement continued.

After another attempt to extract him on the morning of Nov. 23 was also unsuccessful, the decision was made to amputate his leg to facilitate his rescue. The decision came following a consultation with the man and after a medical assessment determined that his “condition was deteriorating."

The operation to remove the man's leg was then "successfully undertaken by the medical team, with the aid of specialist equipment,” per the statement.

The man — who is an international visitor, according to police — was moved from the river following the amputation and airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital in Hobart, where he remains in critical condition.

Police described the rescue as a "complex and protracted rescue operation” and said it lasted "over more than 20 hours."

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"This rescue was an extremely challenging and technical operation, and an incredible effort over many hours to save the man’s life,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Doug Oosterloo said, according to the statement.

“Every effort was made to extract the man before the difficult decision to amputate his leg. The professionalism and commitment of all emergency responders is to be commended," he added.

“I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to this operation in the most difficult of circumstances," Oosterloo concluded.