Flock of choppers in forest rescues

Three trampers were airlifted to safety in separate incidents over Easter weekend during a run of emergency rescues in Wairarapa.

Three people were flown out of Wairarapa forest parks by helicopter in three rescues over Easter.

A hunter was evacuated from Tararua Forest Park on Saturday after experiencing pain in a leg. The man was flown out from Totara Flats Hut about 8am.

An Amalgamated Helicopters spokeswoman said the man had walked to the hut but was experiencing discomfort due to a plate in his leg. The plate had been fitted as a result of a past fracture.

The man became concerned the plate was loose and asked to be evacuated via a mountain radio.

Another hunter, a Wellington man in his 20s, activated his emergency locator beacon after injuring an ankle near the Waiorongomai Saddle in the Rimutaka Forest Park, close to Western Lake Rd, Featherston.

Life Flight responded with its Westpac rescue helicopter, retrieving the man from the Waiorongomai Hut about 2.45pm on Sunday. A Life Flight spokesman said the man was taken to Wellington Hospital with a possible broken ankle.

On Monday afternoon, Life Flight's helicopter winched a tramper from a Tararua Forest Park track.

The female tramper, in her mid-50s, had slipped and suffered an ankle injury.

Crewman Logan Taylor said that because of the injured woman's location, the flight paramedic had been winched down to her.

The tramper was given pain-relief medication and had her ankle stabilised before she and the flight paramedic were winched back into the helicopter.

The patient was taken to Wairarapa Hospital's emergency department with moderate injuries.