Thread: Search And Rescue

Another successful mission by the team in our rugged Ruahines.

I can't understand why the party never noticed him missing till the road end,we were taught to watch out for tail end Charlie.


Heres the report:

On 4 July 2013 a 76 yr old local man went for a day walk in the lower
Ruahines near Dannevirke with a tramping club.

After reaching their hut destination they started to make their way back to
the roadend.

The man had gone ahead alone and when about halfway back lost the track. He
became disoriented and could not find his way back to it.

Realising he was lost he remained where he was and called out to his
companions without success.

The main group did not realise the man was missing until they had returned to
the roadend.

Search and Rescue were called while a small group returned to look for the
man.

The Palmerston North rescue helicopter was dispatched arriving on scene just
after nightfall.

The man was quickly located by night vision goggles and attempts were made to
direct his companions to his location.

Unfortunately the helicopter had to leave the area due to deteriorating
weather and the man’s companions were not able to make contact.

While they walked out Search and Rescue members from Tararua and Palmerston
North were called out, arriving in the area at about 10pm.

The weather had cleared by this time allowing the helicopter to return to the
area where the crew again quickly located the man and were able to direct the
search teams to his location.

The man was found in good health and was walked out.

He had good clothing for a day walk but no overnight gear. He had a compass
with him but only a Park Map instead of a Topographical one. He had no means
of communication other than a whistle. His only light source was a pen-light
torch which although not very helpful for navigating through bush was readily
able to be seen through night vision goggles.

This is a good example of why people should be prepared for the worst
whenever they venture into the outdoors. One must be fully geared up and
prepared to spend a night out in the bush even if only a day trip was
planned.

People should not wander off from their party by themselves and should carry
adequate means of communication, either a Personal Locator Beacon, a Mountain
Radio or as a last resort a cellphone if they are lucky enough to have
coverage in their area.