Police say trampers lucky to be found

A woman who huddled in a partly snow-covered sleeping bag and her hiking partner who went to get help were lucky to be found before dark in extreme weather yesterday, say National Park police.

Officers were alerted just before 5pm to two trampers in difficulty on the track between Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe. Police believe they had been overcome by strong winds, fading light and deep snow drifts.

The Taupo-based Lion Foundation rescue helicopter rescued the woman and a ground search party found the man.