KOSCIUSZKO NATIONAL PARK — Fire and Rescue NSW utilized an artificial intelligence-powered drone to locate and rescue two hikers who had gone missing in Kosciuszko National Park. The hikers were found within five hours of the drone's deployment.

The two men were reported missing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening after they did not return to a designated rendezvous point on time. Fire and Rescue NSW deployed its remote air piloted system for the search operation. The drone employed thermal imaging technology to detect the individuals.

The hikers, who were in their 20s, had been walking the Dead Horse Gap track, located approximately 35km south-west of Jindabyne. The drone's built-in speaker was used to communicate with the hikers once they were identified. They used a red light from a mobile phone to attract the drone's attention in the dark.

The drone's spotlight then directed ground rescuers to the hikers' location, approximately half a kilometer off the track. The men were experiencing mild effects of exposure but informed rescuers that they did not require medical treatment.

This incident marked the first time the Fire and Rescue NSW drone's AI detection system was used in a rescue mission for missing persons. Phillip Eberle, Fire and Rescue inspector and regional duty commander for the NSW Alpine area, said, "It's definitely helped make what could have been a long-term incident into a very short-term incident." He added, "We can save putting rescuers at risk overnight and drop a rescue pack to people so they're OK overnight, and be there first thing in the morning when it's safer for everyone."

Eberle said, "There's every chance in the world we could have still been out there." He noted, "It means less time on the mountain and less time looking for people, and reduced risk so that the volunteers can get home to their families quicker."

John Marzol, Fire and Rescue commander, said, "We would urge hikers in the snowfields to notify the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) before their treks and register for free use of Personal Locator Beacons to ensure they don't get lost in the bush."