A routine morning walk around Narrabeen Lagoon turned into an unexpected bushland adventure for a 75-year-old woman yesterday, requiring the efforts of multiple emergency services to bring her safely home.
The incident unfolded shortly after 11.30am on Thursday when the woman, who had been walking around the lagoon, decided to explore a side trail near Middle Creek. After venturing along the Ya Mum Trail between Wakehurst Parkway and the Slippery Dip Fire Trail, she found herself unable to navigate her way back through the steep terrain.
Rather than attempting to push on alone, the walker made the sensible decision to call Triple Zero for assistance. She reported being uninjured but concerned about finding her way out safely.
The call sparked a coordinated response from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW’s Narrabeen Station, and local volunteers from the Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade. The emergency crews approached the rescue from two directions to maximise their chances of a quick outcome.
Specialist rescue firefighters from Narrabeen Station made their way into the bush on foot from Deep Creek Reserve at North Narrabeen, whilst Ingleside’s volunteer firefighters took a four-wheel-drive vehicle down the Slippery Dip Fire Trail to access the area from higher ground.
Throughout the ordeal, rescuers maintained phone contact with the missing woman. In a clever bit of coordination, the Fire and Rescue crew sounded their truck’s siren at Deep Creek Reserve, allowing the woman to confirm she could hear them and helping to narrow down her location.
The strategy worked. Firefighters located her shortly before 12.45pm and used the Emergency Plus app to pinpoint her exact position using what3words technology.
After weighing up the options, emergency crews determined it would be easier to walk uphill to the fire trail rather than attempt the steep descent on foot. The Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade crew transported the woman out via their four-wheel-drive vehicle along the Slippery Dip Fire Trail, emerging at Morgan Road in Belrose just before 1.30pm.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Kylie O’Brien conducted a thorough assessment and confirmed the woman had come through her ordeal without injury. A Northern Beaches Police Area Command officer then provided transport back to the woman’s vehicle so she could drive home.
The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly bushland walks can become complicated, even on popular trails near urban areas. The woman’s decision to call for help rather than risk getting further lost, combined with the swift multi-agency response, ensured the situation ended well.
The Narrabeen Lagoon Trail remains a popular destination for walkers, cyclists and families on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, featuring an 8.4-kilometre loop through beautiful bushland and alongside the lagoon’s shores.
Published 19-February-2026
