Victorian MP plucked from icy mountain

(AAP) - A Victorian minister plucked safely from steep terrain on the state's second-highest peak says he has no plans to celebrate his rescue with another adventure any time soon.

Water and Tourism Minister Tim Holding told paramedics he became lost on Sunday
morning in freezing conditions on Mt Feathertop after sliding about 100 metres down
the icy mountain.
In a recovery described by police as dangerous and precarious, Mr Holding's
two-and-a-half-day ordeal ended on Tuesday morning when he was recovered 2.6km from
where he was last seen beneath the summit about 8.30am (AEST) on Sunday.
Winched to safety by helicopter from a rocky ridge below the snow line at about
10.20am (AEST) on Tuesday, he walked without assistance for a reunion with his
waiting parents and partner Ellen Whinnett at the Bright football oval in
northeastern Victoria.
"I certainly won't be going hiking that's for sure," a smiling Mr Holding told
reporters as he was loaded onto a stretcher.
He was taken by air ambulance on a 50-minute flight to Melbourne's The Alfred hospital.
Paramedic Steve Grove said good preparation and his physical condition had aided Mr
Holding's endurance, helping him avoid hypothermia and frostbite.
But, he said, if Mr Holding had been equipped with an EPIRB (Emergency
Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) he would have been picked up on Sunday afternoon.
He said the 37-year-old appeared to be in good spirits despite being "overwhelmed"
by a large media contingent.
He had only minor injuries, including cuts and grazes.
A makeshift swag-style tent provided him with some shelter, Mr Grove said.
"His condition is extremely well for two-and-a-half days up in the high country," Mr
Grove told reporters.
"He knew that he would eventually be found.
"Tim wanted me to express his thanks to everyone who's involved in his rescue over
the last couple of days - the volunteers, the emergency services.
"He's well aware of the amount of effort that went into his safe return and wanted
me to express that to the public and to the services involved."
It is believed a private aircraft spotted Mr Holding's head torch in the darkness
during a flyover on Monday night.
The sighting was crucial, enabling the rescue chopper to locate him when a lucky
break in the weather meant it could fly.
Mr Holding was standing, waving a thermal reflective blanket to attract the pilot's
attention and was winched to safety.
Victoria Police Senior Constable Sue Mapleson was lowered down to the minister and
strapped him in a harness once he was assessed as being fit to be airlifted.
"It was very steep, it was a rocky outcrop, it would have been extremely difficult
to reach even on foot, let alone any other way, and even for us to have removed him
from that position was a little bit tricky," she told AAP.
The minister - who holds portfolios in water, tourism and finance - is expected to
be discharged from hospital either late on Tuesday or on Wednesday after a thorough
medical assessment.
In a statement issued late on Tuesday through the premier's media unit, Mr Holding
said: "I'm very relieved to be back safely and I'm extremely grateful to everyone
who helped out with the search and rescue effort".