Police say the actions of a passing tramper saved the life of a man who had been wandering in poor weather in Tongariro National Park for six days.
Senior Constable Cliff Jones, of Turangi police, said the rescued man, Wayne Minty, 38, of Rotorua, was flown out at first light todayby the Tranz Rail rescue helicopter after being made comfortable by four search and rescue teams overnight.
Mr Jones said Auckland tramper Talasker Grant found Mr Minty in the open yesterday afternoon in cold, wet conditions with some sleet and snow between Tama Lakes and Waihohonu Hut.
Mr Minty entered the park last Tuesday and was not equipped adequately for the conditions. He had been moving around from hut to hut and staying in the open since then, and was probably hypothermic.
Mr Grant dressed him in dry clothing and left him in a dry sleeping bag after calling search and rescue on his cellphone. Because of poor reception he had to walk out to the Whakapapa road end where a Turangi search and rescue member was waiting, Mr Jones said.
He arrived at 5pm and was able to give such clear details that the search and rescue teams were with Mr Minty by 11pm. They put up a tent to shelter him until the rescue helicopter arrived.
Mr Minty was still in Taupo Hospital tonight for observation.
"Mr Grant was able to give really good information about where he (Mr Minty) was and what was happening," Mr Jones told NZPA.
"He had sufficient outdoor knowledge and experience to react appropriately, and when he came out he was really clear about where to find Mr Minty."
Mr Minty had filed a "really sketchy" intentions sheet with the Department of Conservation, and had not told anyone else where he was going.
"If it had not been for Mr Grant, we would have been doing a body recovery," Mr Jones said.
He said recent heavy snowfalls in the park meant even areas such as the popular Tongariro Crossing were not necessarily safe at the moment.
