A man found lying face-up and unresponsive in a stream in the Waitakere Ranges was saved by a well-prepared tramper, an intensive care flight paramedic says.
The tramper came across the man yesterday afternoon and activated his personal locator beacon to alert emergency services.
An Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewarrived and intensive care flight paramedic Rob Gemmell was winched to the ground.
He found the middle-aged man lying face-up in a cold stream under a walking bridge.
Initial indications were that he was hypotensive and with a very low temperature, was slipping into unconsciousness.
Mr Gemmell said the tramper saved the man's life by calling for help so quickly.
"Not only did he show amazing initiative, but he went into the bush extremely well equipped and should serve as a great example to others how important it is to be prepared," Mr Gemmell said.
The man was taken to Auckland Hospital in a critical condition.
