Thread: Search And Rescue

Another reminder. She was lucky.

"Police rescue solo hiker from Mount Tongariro "

A woman was rescued from Mount Tongariro this afternoon and Police are reminding hikers to take precautions in these testing conditions.

The 26-year-old was walking alone through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing before her crampon became loose and she slipped on ice.

She was heading towards the summit.

Finding herself in a precarious position and unable to move up or down the mountain, she called a friend who called 111.

Two tourists walking approximately 500 metres behind her heard also heard her screams and called emergency services.

Rescuers from LandSAR RARO (Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation) quickly located her while in Taupo’s Greenlea rescue helicopter.

After being dropped off by the helicopter, two rescuers climbed down the side of the ridge and assisted her back to the ridge, before the rescue helicopter took the rescuers and her back to the base of Ruapehu.

Senior Constable Barry Shepherd of Taupo Police says the woman had a lucky escape as she sustained no injuries:

“She was very shaken, tired and distressed as a result of being stuck in such a precarious position.

“It’s been a beautiful day here but the icy conditions make it hazardous for hikers who are not properly equipped.

“It’s not enough to just walk with crampons in these conditions.

Hikers must have an ice axe too.”

Further safety advice for outdoor activities can be found at adventuresmart.org.nz

ENDS

Police Media Centre

Tramper overdue in Tararua Forest Park"

Search and Rescue teams from Palmerston North, Levin and Wellington are looking to locate a man who has failed to return from a three-day tramp in Tararua Forest Park.

The 67-year-old entered the park on Tuesday headed for Kime Hut; he had planned to return to his car at Otaki Forks by 3:30pm yesterday but never arrived.

He was expected to travel there from Elder Hut via Renata Ridge and Waiotaru Road and track.

The man is an experienced tramper who is fit and well-prepared for a short stay but Police are growing more concerned for his safety as he hasn’t been in contact since Tuesday and was tramping alone.

Police would like to hear from anyone who’s been in the Tararua Forest Park on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday this week, particularly around Kime Hut, Elder Hut and Otaki Forks.

The missing man is Caucasian, of a lean and tall build and balding with short grey hair.

If anyone has information which may help in the search for this man, please contact Palmerston North Police on 06 351 2535.

"Body found in Tararua Ranges"

A body has been located in the Field Peak area of the Tararua Ranges late this afternoon.

The victim’s name will be released once all the family notifications have been made.

Police Search and Rescue Coordinator Sergeant Andy Brooke said, “It’s been a sad day for search parties and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends, at this time.”

Inquiries are continuing and more information will be released when it becomes available.


ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre

I had a sense of fear that would be the result in this instance.

If he went doing what he enjoyed the most then not a bad way to go and the family have his body to remember

Originally Posted by sako75

If he went doing what he enjoyed the most then not a bad way to go and the family have his body to remember

I totally agree there sako, live life and enjoy it!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Not good news

Trampers found dead in Tararua Forest Park"

To be attributed to Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Donna Howard:

Two male trampers, aged 39 and 32, have today been found dead on a track in the Tararua Forest Park in Wairarapa.

The men were reported overdue last night [Sunday] at around 7:00pm by a family member.

The pair had headed out on an overnight tramp to Alpha Hut from the Waiohine Gorge campsite on Saturday morning, and were due back on Sunday evening.

One body was located at approximately 10:25am by a member of the public.

Search and Rescue located a second body at around 1:00pm a short distance away.

Both bodies were recovered from the bush this afternoon.

While weather conditions in the Tararuas were generally good over the weekend, temperatures did fall overnight and Police are working to establish what experience the pair had.

Police will be investigating what happened on behalf of the Coroner.

There has gotta be more to that than meets the eye Dundee.

Originally Posted by Rushy

There has gotta be more to that than meets the eye Dundee.

Yes sounds a bit odd

Very strange.

It ain't cold enough out there to die overnight - this may end up where the cops use that euphemism "not seeking anyone else" or another of their code phrases

"UPDATE - Trampers in Tararua Forest Park"

Please attribute to Inspector Donna Howard, Wairarapa Area Commander.

The bodies of the two men found in the Tararua Forest Park yesterday will be transferred to Palmerston North today for a post-mortem to be carried out tomorrow.

The 39 year old and 32 year old failed to return on Sunday from a planned overnight tramp.

It's understood the men had planned to leave Waiohine Gorge campsite on Saturday morning, making their way up to Neill Ridge and via the Dress Circle Track to stay overnight at Alpha Hut.

Indications are that the men did not arrive at Alpha Hut.

Both men were located within a kilometre radius of the hut.

The intended route has been described by local Police Search and Rescue staff as physically demanding.

Weather conditions were generally good over the weekend, but that will be examined as part of the full investigation as to what happened.

The exact cause of the men's deaths will be determined by the Coroner, and Police will be assisting with that investigation.

The two men were foreign nationals who had been resident in New Zealand for some time.

"This is a devastating time for the families involved, and we would ask that media respect their privacy at this time," Inspector Howard says.

Police will not be releasing the names of the men at this stage.

Condolences to the families

"Tararua Forest Park trampers - name release"

The Police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of two trampers in Tararua Forest Park over the weekend continues.

Police are investigating on behalf of the Coroner.

Post-mortem examinations were carried out today and the findings will be passed to the Coroner.

The names of the two men can now be released: Mykhalo Stepura (also known as Michael Stepura), 39, from Lower Hutt; and Pavel Pazniak, 32, from Auckland.

Both men were foreign nationals but had been resident in New Zealand for some time.

Mr Stepura was originally from the Ukraine, and Mr Pazniak was originally from Belarus.


The families of the two men understand the media interest in this matter, but have requested privacy as they grieve the loss of Mr Stepura and Mr Pazniak.

The families have therefore requested that media do not attempt to contact them.


Police extend their sympathies to the families at this difficult time.

No further information is available at this stage.

That's a damn good statement.