A Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter crew winched a "near-hypothermic" tramper and his dog to safety from freezing conditions in the Tararua Range.
A Wellington father suffering hypothermia and his dog were winched to safety by Air Force personnel after enduring freezing overnight conditions in the Tararua Range.
Experienced Wellington tramper David Graham and his Kelpie, Winnie, were on the second night of a tramp headed towards the Mid King Bivvy in theWairarapa region on Monday when thick cloud closed in.
“I’ve been told since then that it’s a notoriously difficult hut to find because the track had overgrown,” Graham said.
With visibility reduced to less than 20m, the pair were unable to find the two-bunk hut – forcing them to shelter under a large rock which had icicles hanging off it.
By 9pm, the cloud had lifted, bringing dew down and freezing Graham’s sleeping bag. It was at this point he set off his personal locator beacon and called emergency services.
Experienced Wellington tramper David Graham and his dog were plucked to safety from freezing conditions in the Tararua Range on Tuesday morning. Photo / New Zealand Defence Force
A decision was made that a Land Search and Rescue crew would assist Graham the next day, but the father-of-one – shivering and concerned about his health should rain set in – contacted police again about 2am on Tuesday.
By 4am, an NH90 helicopter left NZAF Base Ohakea bound for the Tararua Range.
“The next thing I heard, it was about was about 4.30am, the chopper coming through,” Graham said.
Dramatic video of the rescue shows two winching missions take place, plucking Winnie to safety first in a bag before assisting Graham.
“They took Winnie up first, which was lovely. They were very thoughtful and brought a specific bag for the dog.
Winnie the Kelpie was winched to safety first by the NH90 crew. Photo / New Zealand Defence Force
“As soon as I got in the chopper I was given the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. They gave me a Crunchie bar and put a heated pack down my front.”
Graham was assessed by medics after landing at Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome, who found early symptoms of hypothermia had begun to affect his feet.
Squadron leader Andrew Stewart, from the No 3 squadron, said temperatures at the time of the rescue had dropped to 0.5C – adding to a difficult mission on steep terrain with bluffs below the pair.
“When we arrived he shone his torch so we could see him easily,” Stewart said.
The NH90 helicopter left NZAF Base Ohakea bound for the Tararua Ranges before 4am. Photo / New Zealand Defence Force
The rescue was carried out by medic Corporal Sam Wardhaugh, who conducted his first winch in a search and rescue mission since gaining his qualification a week earlier.
Graham thanked the NH90 crew and police who assisted him.
“I was pretty tired, but I really appreciated all the expertise from everyone. I can’t imagine all the complexities of pulling together something like that at 4am.
