An Australian man was saved by fellow trampers after coming into bad weather and rugged terrain in the Tararua Ranges, north of Wellington. Photo / Google
An Australian man was saved by fellow trampers after coming into bad weather and rugged terrain in the Tararua Ranges, north of Wellington. Photo / Google
A distress beacon and the actions of a group of trampers have saved the life of an Australian overnight
The Australian man activated his distress beacon after coming into bad weather and rugged terrain in the Tararua Ranges, north of Wellington at 6pm on Sunday.
The man, who was trampingwith a friend, activated his beacon near Kime Hut.
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) dispatched a Wellington Life Flight helicopter but low cloud and difficult flying conditions in the mountains prevented it getting near the hut, RCCNZ Senior Search and Rescue Officer Mike Roberts said.
The helicopter landed the search and rescue team as close as it could but that still left them with a seven-hour tramp through the night to reach the man.
He had registered his beacon at his home in Australia, and told his emergency contacts what his plans were.
"That meant we could speak to his emergency contacts and get details we needed about where he was going, what equipment he had with him, his experience and anything that the paramedics might need to know."
At about 11am this morning the man was helped to Field Hut where he was picked up by a Philips Search and Rescue Trust helicopter from Palmerston North.
A second LandSAR team was tasked in case weather prevented the helicopter landing and the man had to be carried out.
Fortunately the weather cleared, and he was flown to Palmerston North for treatment and is understood to be recovering well.
