Thread: Search And Rescue

"Makarora River - Wanaka"
Wanaka Police Search and Rescue in conjunction with Wanaka Land Search and
Rescue and Wanaka Coast Guard are currently involved in a search for a
missing 63 year old male who went fly fishing at the mouth of the Makarora
River yesterday.

The missing person is Ken Copeland from Wanaka who wnet fly-fishing alone and
didn't return home when he had arranged yesterday afternoon. Family
members raised the alarm and a search was activated last night. A
'tracking' team was deployed along with a helecopter with night vision
equipment.

A fly fishing back-pack and Labrador dog belonging to Mr Copeland were found
on a gravel island at the mouth of the Makarora River early this morning,
along with a set of footprints leading into the water where the main river
flow goes into the lake.

The search continued today with an extensive aerial and shore line search
being conducted this morning, with no further signs discovered of Mr
Copeland.

A boat with sonar equipment has also been deployed, focusing its search at at
the mouth of the Makarora River where it meets Lake Wanaka.

Senior Constable Mike Johnston said that it looks like Mr Copeland has wadded
into the water and onto a terrace off the gravel island that boarders the
main river flow and the head of the lake.

All indications are that he has slipped off the edge of the terrace and into
the flow of the river and into the head of the lake.

That does not sound good Dundee.

poor bugger is gone burgers mate.I hope he was locked onto a big trout RIP.

Great result SAR

"Opunake search and rescue operation — missing woman found"


A 24-year-old woman who was reported missing near Opunake yesterday (Monday,
2 September) afternoon has now been found.



Search Coordinator, Senior Constable Jeff McGrath says: "Teams searched
through the night for the woman and she was located in a coastal cave by a
family member at approximately 8am this morning."



The woman was taken to a family member's house where she is receiving medical
treatment by St Johns Ambulance staff. It appears the woman has mild
hypothermia.



"Taranaki Police want to thank everyone involved in the search including the
woman's family and friends, Land SAR volunteers, Police search and rescue
staff, Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter staff, and Taranaki Community
Rescue Helicopter staff," says Senior Constable McGrath.

"Marine search and rescue exercise — Castlepoint, Saturday 7 September,
2013"


A marine search and rescue (SAR) exercise is scheduled to take place this
Saturday 7 September, between Castlepoint and Akitio (weather permitting).

The exercise will commence at 10am and conclude around 3pm. The scenario will
be based on a sinking runabout vessel with 4 people on board.

Those taking part will include Police search and rescue personnel from
Central and Wellington Districts, the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ),
commercial fishermen from Castlepoint and Akitio, representatives from South
Wairarapa boating clubs, and two locally based helicopters. A Coastguard
fixed wing aircraft from the Hawke's Bay will also be deployed.

Approximately 40 people will be involved in the exercise.

Boaties operating in the Castlepoint/Akitio area can expect to hear some
radio activity on marine channels 18, 2, and 3.

The exercise will provide an opportunity for the various SAR assets to work
together and test out practised search and rescue procedures and techniques.

Auckland SAR looking for new recruits
Adventure Magazine |

"Police launch search for missing backpacker "
Police have launched a search for a 28-year-old male backpacker who was last
seen on Sunday 22 September, 2013 at National Park, Ruapehu.

The man is a Chinese National and was travelling on his own around the North
Island. He was staying at accommodation in National Park when he went for a
walk on some local tracks on the Sunday.

Police were notified of his disappearance by the owners of the accommodation
at around 12 noon today and have been searching for the man since.

“Police understand that the man went for a walk unprepared for the
conditions. We are very concerned for his wellbeing, especially with the
inclement weather setting in,” said Constable Aaron Owen, Search
Coordinator.

Six search teams made up of Ruapehu LandSAR staff and Police staff from
Turangi, Taupo, and Taumarunui have been searching for the man today and will
continue into the night. A search and rescue dog is also helping with the
search.

ENDS

That sounds as though it could end with tears Dundee.

Originally Posted by Rushy

That sounds as though it could end with tears Dundee.

All good Rushy

Great work by SAR and police

"Missing backpacker found alive"
Police searching for the backpacker missing in the National Park area have
now found him.

A search team found the man just after 1pm today on the outskirts of National
Park.


Next notification was this. He's a lucky barstard thats for sure.


"Update 2 — Missing backpacker located"
The 28-year-old backpacker found early this afternoon by a search team has
now be taken to Taumarunui Hospital for assessment.

A search team found the man just after 1pm today on the outskirts of National
Park. He was flown out of the bush by an Air Force Iroquois helicopter and
taken back to the search headquarters.

He had been out in the elements for three nights and is suffering from
exhaustion and the cold temperatures.

“The search team that found the man were relieved to find him alive and I
want to thank everyone involved in the search for their tremendous efforts.
There were some moments where the weather looked like it was going to pack up
but thankfully it held and we were able to locate the man,” said Sergeant
Colin Wright, Search Coordinator.

The services of Victim Support are being offered to the man.

“This incident highlights the importance of being prepared before you go
into the bush. Never ever enter the bush without suitable and durable
clothing and equipment.

“Always let someone know of your plans, even if it is the proprietors of
where you are staying — especially the timings and tracks you are taking.

“Do you research and find out about the area you are going to explore and
especially the weather forecast, and if you are not an experienced tramper
don’t go for a challenging track, take one that is more on your experience
level.

“Also a personal locater beacon can be a lifesaver and it means that we can
find you a lot sooner. No one wants to get a call from Police saying that
their loved one is missing out in the bush. It’s all about being prepared
and making informed decisions,” said Mr Wright.

ENDS

Great outcome Dundee. Those SAR people are all heroes in my mind

A lucky man indeed. Our local SAR group recently bought a few acr plb units to hire out at a very reasonable cost to trampers etc. We are putting posters up in local backpackers and I-site to get people aware of them. Hopefully people will spend a few $$ and help make SAR`s job easier in the event.

I think this next one should be titled Search and Destroy but that's just my opinion.


Police search for man in Wainuiomata"
At around 8.40am this morning a 32-year-old male has failed to stop for
Police.

After a short pursuit he has abandoned the stolen vehicle he was driving and
fled on Coast Road in Wainuiomata.

12 units responded, including a dog handler, and are now searching the remote
area.

"Police are aware that the male has access to firearms so are taking every
precaution" says Senior Sergeant Steve Braybrook.

"We are up in the bush at the moment searching for the male. Anyone who sees
a tall, caucasian male, of thin build, wearing a light coloured shirt and
dark trousers in the area should not approach him and immediately contact
Police".

"Farmer saved by personal locator beacon"


Palmerston North Police Search and Rescue were alerted by the Rescue
Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) yesterday evening (14 January, 2014) of beacon
activation in the Pohangina Valley.

A 75-year-old farmer had been out the back of his farm rounding up stray
sheep in steep gorgy terrain when he suffered a medical issue.

He activated his beacon which was then reported to the RCCNZ who sent the
Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter into the area to try to locate him.

They then alerted SAR to provide teams as a back-up if the helicopter was not
successful.

While the helicopter was able to locate the general area of the activation
they could not pin-point exactly where the signal was coming from due to the
steep terrain and dense bush.

A SAR volunteer went onto the area with a hand-held direction finder and
located him 100m down in a creek at the bottom of the gorge.

He was treated and winched into the helicopter for transport to hospital.

Had he not been found when he was, his situation could have become very dire.

This is yet another example of how useful personal locator beacons can be
when working in the outdoors. If he had not had the beacon and activated it
in his life threatening situation it might have been hours before he was
reported missing and the task of searching for him in the dark and difficult
terrain would have been extremely problematic.

Police want to stress how valuable a personal locator beacon can be for all
types of outdoor activities, be it at work on a farm, recreational
activities in the bush or hills, and at sea.

Andy Brooke – O/C Palmerston North Police SAR

He may receive a hefty bill for the fancy ride but he is still here to talk about it. Great result

Good outcome