Police condemn Otago hunters

Police say a group of hunters who set out in bad weather were woefully under prepared. Photo / Thinkstock

Police have condemned the actions of a group of Otago men who had to be rescued after setting out on a hunting trip in poor weather without telling anyone where they were going.

A search was launched yesterday after the men failed to return from a Friday night hunt in the Rock and Pillar range area near Paerau, south of Ranfurly.

Senior Constable Steve Burke of Ranfurly police said the local men - aged 37, 22, 15 and 14 - set out in extremely adverse conditions and did not tell anyone where they were going.

Their four-wheel-drive vehicle became stuck as snow and wind lashed the area and they were were forced to spend the night in the vehicle to shelter from the elements.

Mr Burke said the group were adequately clothed but carried no food, water, recovery gear or communications equipment.

A family member raised the alarm in the morning when the group had not returned home.

Police and search and rescue volunteers from Ranfurly and Alexandra searched for the group, while neighbouring farmers inspected tracks and possible vehicle access areas throughout the district.

Mr Burke said searching was complicated by the lack of a defined search area to cover and a rescue helicopter was called in on Saturday afternoon.

A friend of the group was also called in to help narrow the search area and with the friend's help the group was located by helicopter within 30 minutes.

The group were returned to the search base fit and well with no medical issues.

Mr Burke said police were highly critical of the group for failing to take basic safety precautions.

"This mistake put their own welfare in serious jeopardy, as well as the safety of search members who entered the same environment in the same conditions to look for them."

Mr Burke said it was important to tell someone where you were going if venturing into the hills at any time.

"Preferably take some means of communication with you, but always take some basic resources that will assist you in the case of delayed return."

The group's bogged vehicle remains abandoned and will be recovered later at the owner's expense.

- APNZ