Thread: Search And Rescue

Forgive my ignorance on this, but is it usual that the rescued party is invoiced the cost of the chopper? Not that I'd begrudge it if I'd been in deep doo-doo

No I don't think it is if it is a genuine emergency.

Another SAR in the Tararuas.

"Preparation is key for hunters and trampers after men rescued"

Manawatü Police want to remind hunters and trampers that preparation is vital before heading into the bush after a hunting group of five men and their four dogs had to be air-lifted from the Northern Tararua Ranges in the Mangahao area yesterday afternoon (28 April, 2014).

Police were advised at around 1:15pm yesterday by one of the men after they managed to find cell phone coverage. A search and rescue operation was launched with support from Horowhenua SAR volunteers and the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter.

"The group, aged in their late teens to early 50s, did have a GPS device and were well acquainted with the area; however they were woefully ill-prepared and did not have an emergency locator beacon which is a life-saving piece of equipment," says Sergeant Andy Brooke, Manawatü SAR coordinator.

The group had entered the area from Tokomaru Valley Road and walked to the Mangahao River on the afternoon of Saturday 26th of April, 2014. At the time the weather was fine and the group crossed the river and walked through the bush to their campsite.

Overnight the weather deteriorated and when they returned to the river they could not cross as the river had swollen to dangerous levels. They then attempted to climb towards the Burn Hut loop track to find a route to get them out of the area.

"The group spent the Sunday night out in the open and huddled together as the weather deteriorated further. They had become trapped in dense bush and were unable to make their own way out.

"All members of the group were under-equipped to handle a change in plans when the elements deteriorated and did not carry any form of shelter or weather appropriate clothing to spend a night out in the bush."

The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter located the group who were very difficult to locate from the air in the dense bush. The men and their dogs were then winched out and taken to a safe location.

All members of the exhausted party were suffering from varying degrees of mild hypothermia.

"The men and their dogs were very lucky and this situation once again highlights the need to be prepared for emergencies and have alternate plans when venturing into the outdoors, whether it is into the hills or on the water.

"Cell phones should not be relied upon as a means of emergency communication. People should consider taking an emergency locater beacon or a radio hired from the Mountain Radio Service," says Sergeant Brooke.

It sure can turn to shit quick out there. Go prepared for the worst, hope for the best.

Saw this on stuff tonight

Injuries after quad bike crash - dominion-post | Stuff.co.nz

Passed a guy waiting next to a quad at the summit of Akatarawa yesterday morning around 9:30, on my way to Kiwi39. Hopefully this has a good outcome.

Cheers EBF another rescue in the wAIKATO yesty to

YSAR Training

American teens tackle Kiwi bush - national | Stuff.co.nz

That is a great way to fundraise for the group. If I know Barry and his girls, they wont make it easy for the visitors

Lost Farmer found by a good search dog team - highly valuable asset
Police praise lost farmer's quick-thinking | Stuff.co.nz

Originally Posted by Vapour

Lost Farmer found by a good search dog team - highly valuable asset
Police praise lost farmer's quick-thinking | Stuff.co.nz

Same farmer had to go back into the bush yesterday to try and remove stock, failed, so has to go back in today...he is getting to know that area pretty good now.

"Climbing accident - Mt Ruapehu - Central"







At about 1030hrs this morning 17th July 2014 a small group of climbers were climbing on the Pinnacle Ridge, Whakapapa when one of the party took a fall on ice and slid approximately 300 metres in an area known as Grand Gully.

Whakapapa Ski Patrol attended to the 25 year old male climber who received serious head injuries as a result of the fall and he was subsequently airlifted to Waikato Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

At the same time a search and rescue was initiated for a female member of the same climbing party who became stuck on the top of the Pinnacles and was unable to continue.

Taupos' Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was utilised to deploy a RARO (Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation) team to the area to extract the 23 year old female.

She was retrieved unharmed and without further incident.

The group were well equipped and experienced and weather conditions were fine at the time.

At this stage there is no further information in relation to the injured climber.

"Overdue trampers in the Tararua Ranges - Wairarapa - Wellington"

A search for two overdue trampers has been initiated by Wairarapa Search and Rescue in the area of Totara Flats in the Tararua Forest Park.

The two women, aged 40 and 60 (mother and daughter), left Mt.

Holdsworth carpark at about 9am on Sunday 3rd August. They intended to walk to the Waiohine Gorge Road end via Totara Flats using the Department of Conservation track that negiotates this area.

There has been heavy rain in the Tararua's (as much as 150 mm). The two women are not equipped for an overnight stay. The track is well serviced by bridges but rivers in the area are flooded. They failed to reach Waiohine Gorge Road end where they were due to be picked up at 5.30pm. It is about a 17km walk from Holdsworth Lodge to the Waiohine Gorge Road end.

Two search teams were deployed into the park to look for the women at 10.30pm. Heavy rain is continuing to fall in the area. It is hoped that the search teams will locate the women on the track or in the shelter of Totara Flats Hut.

If they are found, it is intended that the two women and the search team will be flown out after daylight.

The Incident Control Point for the search is the Wairarapa Search and Rescue base situated at Hood Aerodrome.

They have been found safe.

Very little chance of them having made it out down to Waiohine yesterday, hopefully they did the sensible thing and went to a hut...

Can't understand how someone would plan that route with the forecast we had for this weekend

"Missing Person - Levin - Levin - Central"

Manawatu Police are currently searching for Tony Winslade aged 42. Tony was last seen leaving an address in Takaro, Palmerston North, on Sunday 26 October 2014 at 0930hrs.
Winslade indicated to associates that he had intended to go hunting, Police are investigating a possible sighting of Winslade in the Otaki Forks area of the Tararua Forest Park on 26 October. Police are concerned for Winslades' safety and would like to hear from Winsalde or anyone who has information that may assist in locating him.

Anyone with information can contact the Palmerston North Police on 06 351-3600.