Hawke’s Bay tramper highlights locator beacons’ importance after being saved by rescue chopper

John Sharpe (inset) was rescued from the bush within 30 minutes by the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter thanks to his personal locator beacon. NZME composite photo 19 March 2026 NZME composite image

An experienced tramper deep in the Hawke’s Bay bush knew he was in trouble when he spotted a zebra on the path in front of him.

John Sharpe was hallucinating of course.

Fortunately, a small but essential bit of kit meant he was able to call for help, with the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter finding his location and extracting him within 20 minutes.

Now he’s sharing his story in a bid to make others realise the importance of personal locator beacons.

There were 19 search and rescues performed by the rescue helicopter last year, including several incidents of trampers lost in dense bush.

In early 2026, the helicopter had been called to four tramping or hunting-related missions in the past two months alone.

Sharpe had tramped through the North Island for 20 or so years with no issues, but last year he almost didn’t make it home.

He’d planned a five-day loop in an area he’d walked before and was confident he’d complete it thanks to the reasonable route he’d picked.

He enjoyed the first three days without any issues.

But midway through day four, Sharpe felt something was off.

“I began to struggle to achieve a sensible distance between breaks and felt very weary over a short period of time, despite being well hydrated and eating well,” he said.

“Hallucinating there was a zebra on the path at one point really brought it home that I would likely be in a bad way if I managed to complete day four, and day five was really not looking good.”

Sharpe knew if he collapsed, he could be lost in the bush for a significant amount of time before, or if, he was found.

He activated his beacon (PLB) and within 20 minutes the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter was overhead.

Sharpe said the relief was palpable.

“The sound of the helicopter coming to get me really was like an angel from heaven coming to the rescue.”

Air crew officer Michaela Horsefield winched Sharpe out.

She said hallucinating while tramping was a significant red flag, indicating the brain was under physiological stress.

“In wilderness settings, symptoms like confusion, visual disturbances, extreme fatigue, or poor co-ordination should be treated as warning signs to stop, shelter, and consider calling for help.”

After returning to civilisation, Sharpe was diagnosed with a lingering bronchial infection and made a quick recovery.

He said his experience taught him valuable lessons.

“Listen to your body and to what it is telling you – if something doesn’t feel quite right or your body is not responding as it normally would then listen to it earlier rather than later.”

Sharpe said he always carries a PLB and plans tramps carefully by checking the weather, route with contingencies in place, making sure the route is comfortable and doable.

The Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter crew are now urging anyone planning tramping or hunting trips around Hawke’s Bay in autumn or winter to invest in a PLB before setting out on their trips.

Horsefield said if Sharpe didn’t have a PLB on him, efforts to find him may not have begun until 12 to 48 hours later, he may’ve tried to self-rescue, risking worse injuries and exposing him to further danger, or he may not have been found at all.

She said a PLB “significantly improves survival chances” by sending an exact GPS distress signal to rescuers, allowing them to respond directly to the person’s location.

“Carrying a PLB and listening to early body signals are key safety measures, especially during multi-day autumn tramps when conditions can change quickly.”