Surviving the 1997 Thredbo Landslide: A Tale of Heroism and Resilience

In this episode of the Crux True Survival podcast, hosts Casey McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the catastrophic 1997 Thredbo landslide that devastated an Alpine village in New South Wales, Australia. The hosts discuss the geological triggers of landslides, the tragic events of the night of July 30th, and the heroic rescue of Stuart Diver, who miraculously survived for 65 hours under the rubble. The story covers the immediate rescue efforts, the environmental challenges faced, and the subsequent changes in policies and emergency responses. The episode also touches on related historical landslides such as the Mount St. Helens landslide in 1980 and the Veyant Dam disaster in Italy. Throughout, Casey and Julie highlight the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of preparedness and infrastructure maintenance to prevent future tragedies.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Greetings
00:24 Overview of the 1997 Thredbo Landslide
01:13 Understanding Landslides: Causes and Examples
02:12 Personal Anecdotes and Geological Insights
06:02 Thredbo Village: Setting the Scene
09:05 The Night of the Landslide
10:21 Rescue Efforts and Challenges
15:37 The Remarkable Survival of Stuart Diver
18:03 Fun Summer Activities for Kids
18:19 The Tragic Condition of Diver
19:20 The Rescue Operation
20:43 Diver's Miraculous Survival
22:53 The Aftermath and Investigation
29:22 Lessons Learned and Memorials
33:21 Conclusion and Community Engagement; Write us on instagram @thecruxpodcast, or our email thecruxsurvival@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

Some resources

• Book: "Surviving the Thredbo Landslide" by Stewart Diver
  • A firsthand account of the disaster and Diver's incredible survival story, providing personal insights and details about the event.
• Film: "Heroes' Mountain"
  • A made-for-TV drama featuring Craig McLachlan as Stewart Diver, dramatizing the events of the Thredbo landslide and the heroic rescue efforts.
• Wikipedia: Thredbo Landslide
  • A comprehensive overview of the event, including causes, the rescue effort, and aftermath, offering a detailed summary for quick reference.
  • Thredbo Landslide Wikipedia Page

We’re excited to bring you the second half of the incredible tale of Slavomir Rawicz. When we last left off, Slavomir and his fellow escapees had just reached the formidable Gobi Desert. If you missed the first portion of this journey, I would encourage you to listen to the last episode. Stay tuned as we continue this gripping journey of survival against all odds.

If you wish to reach us and suggest episode topics or stories, or if you would like to tell your own story, reach us at our email; thecruxsurvival@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening!

In this gripping episode of the Crux True Survival Story podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the incredible tale of Slavomir Rawicz, a Polish army lieutenant who survived the horrors of WWII imprisonment and a treacherous escape through the Siberian wilderness. Hear about his tortuous confinement, agonizing journey to a Siberian gulag (work prison), and the extraordinary escape plan he devised with the help of fellow prisoners and an unlikely ally. Join us next week as we continue to explore their journey across Mongolia and beyond.

If you or someone you know has a story to tell or any story recommendations, reach out to us at our email; thecruxsurvival@gmail.com or on Instagram @thecruxpodcast. Thank you so very much for supporting our efforts and have a wonderful week!