Family’s human heat circle saves life of lost tramper Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel

An 80-year-old man who became lost while hiking was saved overnight after a mum and her two teenage children formed a human heat circle to keep him alive.

Area Commander Waikato West Inspector Mike Henwood said police were alerted at about 10pm after the elderly man became disoriented on a walk in the Kauaeranga Valley, near Thames.

The man was wearing only shorts and a singlet and, apart from his mobile phone, was carrying no emergency supplies.

He had run out of water and collapsed on the trail.

“He was lucky to have his mobile phone,” Henwood said.

“He called his family, and once his son raised the alarm, emergency services were able to pinpoint his location.”

The man was found to be only about 100 metres from Crosbies Hut.

A helicopter was deployed and reached the area, but was unable to land due to deteriorating weather conditions.

The Pinnacle Track swing bridge, near Kauaeranga Valley. Photo / Russell Street

Further enquiries by Police Search and Rescue, working with the Department of Conservation, identified that a tramping party – a mother and her two teenage children – was staying at Crosbies Hut.

They were contacted and asked to help.

A second helicopter was sent in, but it too was unable to land as weather conditions worsened.

The mother and her children left Crosbies Hut and, within a short time, located the elderly man. They formed a human heat circle to help warm him before returning with him to the hut to await rescue.

At first light, with the assistance of Land Search and Rescue teams, police were able to extract the man from the area.

“He was very grateful to see rescuers,” Henwood said.

“It was an uncomfortably close call. He was very close to not being able to continue, and if it weren’t for the family staying nearby, things could have been very different.”

Henwood said the incident was a reminder for people heading into the bush or onto tramping tracks to be prepared for any eventuality.

“It’s important to wear appropriate clothing and take food and water even for a short walk – especially if you’re not familiar with the area,” he said.

“Emergency Locator Beacons are cheap to hire and are capable of saving your life, even when there’s no cell phone reception.”