Firefighters free elderly Auckland man trapped overnight in ravine

A team effort by Papakura, Manurewa and Auckland fire crews helped rescue a man trapped in a ravine.

An elderly Auckland resident had to be rescued from a ravine by firefighters after being trapped overnight following a fall at the back of his property.

Papakura, Manurewa and Auckland firefighters responded to a Red Hill address on March 28 to help the man in what became a three-and-a-half-hour rescue mission.

A Papakura Fire Bridge spokesman told the Herald the man fell down the bank the night before after losing his footing at the rear of his property.

Slippery ground conditions and dense brush meant he was unable to climb back up the steep slope and had to stay put overnight.

30m fall. Trapped overnight. A life saved. 🚒

Massive effort from Papakura, Manurewa & Auckland’s L3 Lines Team to rescue a man from a ravine.

Despite FENZ's attempts to drive a wedge between us, Career & Volunteers worked side-by-side.

This partnership saves lives. 🤝🔴 pic.twitter.com/SqDEU1t39b

— NZPFU (@NZPFU) April 6, 2026

Neighbours were alerted to his predicament when they heard a shout the next morning while putting out rubbish.

Three fire engines and 12 firefighters were called to the scene just before midday.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said an additional high-angle rescue team attended to retrieve the man from the foot of the 20m bank.

“They’re the guys that train by hanging off the Sky Tower, rappelling down off that kind of thing. They train for this and cliff rescues.”

A team of firefighters approached from the top while others worked from the bottom to lift the man out using a Stokes basket.

The Papakura Fire Brigade spokesman said the “relatively fit” man appeared to be in “good spirits” when he was recovered and while in a bit of pain, had no signs of hypothermia.

He had been tending to his cat in his property’s rear garden at the time of the fall.

The semi-rural road is backed by Redhill Scenic Reserve, a popular walking trail immersed in thick bush.

Hato Hone St John confirmed the man had been assessed by an ambulance crew at the scene before being transported to Middlemore Hospital in a moderate condition.