Winched down to boulders beside Tasmania's remote Franklin River, doctor Jorian Kippax was tasked with freeing a Lithuanian rafter whose leg became jammed in an underwater crevice.

He had been called in after the doctor on scene slipped and broke his wrist.

If left much longer, rafter Valdas Bieliauskas would have succumbed to hypothermia, having already spent 20 hours in the water.

Hydraulics and spreaders had failed to free his leg. The decision was made to amputate.

After two minutes, Dr Kippax completed the procedure, and Mr Bieliauskas survived.

For this rescue and his ongoing dedication to saving lives, emergency medicine specialist Dr Kippax has been recognised as the 2026 Australian of the Year for Tasmania.

Your leg or your life: Inside a perilous 24-hour wild river rescue

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