Busy night for Taupo rescue teams

FILE

It was a busy night for emergency services in the Taupo area, with two rescues.

Around 7pm last night police received a cell phone call for help from four young women who had become disorientated and lost somewhere in the Tongariro National Park.

Police were able to speak to the group and ascertained that they were somewhere on Mt Ngauruhoe.

Due to approaching darkness and the remote location, police deployed the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter crewed with police, St Johns Paramedic and a Turangi LandSAR member.

Utilising Night Vision goggles, the team found the women quickly and were able to assist them from the mountain and back to their vehicle.

Apart from being a tad cold, hungry and sporting a few minor scratches, they were very relieved to be back in the comforts of their backpackers, police said.

Around the same time, police received a call from a man in Kinloch stating two of his friends had not returned from boating on Lake Taupo. They had been missing for several hours.

Police diverted the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter to the lake and it quickly found the missing boat. Lake Taupo Volunteer Coastguard was deployed to the area to assist.

"While the females on Ngauruhoe did the correct thing in calling for help and staying put, they were totally underprepared for the tramp they had undertaken. Street clothes simply do not cut it in an Alpine Environment," Sergeant Shane McNally of Taupo police said.

"If you are venturing out on a boat, it is imperative that you have two forms of communication. A cellphone in a waterproof case / bag and a VHF radio are strongly recommended."