A woman who was filmed saving a koala from a NSW bushfire with the shirt off her own back has been hailed as a "hero" on social media.
On Wednesday, footage emerged of Toni Doherty helping the koala escape a devastating fire on the state's mid-north coast.
The koala suffered severe burns and had to be put down on Tuesday. Source: Nine Network
Ms Doherty is seen bundling the koala in her own shirt before cooling the animal down with a bottle of water.
"He just went straight into the flames, and I just jumped out of the car and went straight to him," she told 9News.
The koala was then taken to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
Toni Doherty pours water on the koala. Source: Nine Network
The video has since gone viral and Ms Doherty has attracted praise from around the world.
in the recent bushfires.
Koala experts will meet in Brisbane on Thursday to "identify the best responses to the impacts of the fires and the future needs of koala populations".
Toni Doherty took off her own shirt to rescue the koala. Source: Nine Network
Weather conditions aided firefighting efforts across NSW on Wednesday but authorities say hot winds will blow in from South Australia in the coming days.
More than 570 homes have been destroyed in NSW this bushfire season, while 37 homes have been razed in Queensland since the start of September.
Additional reporting: AAP
