Man critically injured after sliding down Eurobin Falls at Mt Buffalo

Emergency services rescued the 21-year-old from the bottom of the Lower Eurobin Falls on Sunday evening. 

He was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition.

Police are frustrated that people continue to risk their lives, with an average of two to three rescues at the site each summer. 

A witness said the man appeared to be a tourist with a group of companions, mainly young males.

The witness claimed the man climbed over the fence despite nearby warning signs and then "proceeded to ‘slide’ down the rock-face before it all went wrong".

Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll said the 21-year-old had been swimming and went to leave. 

He realised he had forgotten his T-shirt, and slipped trying to retrieve it. 

“I think people really need to heed the warnings,” he said. 

"The only reason the warnings are put up there is it's a dangerous location. 

"People have slipped on many, many occasions over the years, resulting in serious injuries. 

“It's just a matter of time before someone dies.”

Senior Sergeant Incoll said it was a matter of educating the public of the danger. 

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the man suffered serious head and chest injuries.

Mr Mullen said he was stretchered to the falls lookout before he was driven to an awaiting helicopter at Porepunkah football oval.

He was still in a critical condition in hospital on Monday. 

Bright SES controller Graham Gales said the man may have been unable to read the warning signs near the falls. 

His friends had limited English. 

Mr Gales said the terrain made retrieving the injured man a challenge. 

“It’s a difficult rescue on the rocks,” he said. 

“It’s a narrow track with lots of steps.

“We had to put him on a stretcher, then pass the stretcher, carry him and wheel him down.” 

Mr Gales said most people got into trouble at the same spot at the falls, and slid down into a boulder at the bottom. 

Parks Victoria has undertaken works to improve signage in the area. 

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Senior Sergeant Incoll said if visitors wanted to swim they should use the nearby Ladies Bath Falls, which were safe.

“When people go over the fence and ignore the warning signs, inevitably this is what happens,” he said. 

“He was seriously injured. 

“Let’s hope he makes a full recovery. 

“The signs are there for a reason but people continue to ignore them.

“It’s inherently dangerous.” 

There are no branches, trees or other objects for people to grab onto once they start to slide. 

Dozens of people have been rescued from the site in the past. 

A Shepparton man, 23, fell down the rockface and was flown to a hospital in Melbourne, after a 30-minute trek from the scene, on Australia Day last year.

He had suspected back, leg and lower body injuries and was transported in a serious but stable condition.

At the time of the incident, Mr Gales said it was frustrating tourists continued to ignore warnings and climb over fences to get closer to the falls.

Deaths have previously occurred at the site, but not for many years.