Trampers save man's life in Tararua Range

Monday, 26 March 2018

Kime Hut, where the man was warmed and fed by a group of trampers before being rescued.

A group of trampers in the Tararua Range have rallied to save the life of an Australian man who became hypothermic and stumbled to a nearby hut.

The man, who was tramping with a friend, got into trouble in bad weather on Sunday afternoon, but came across a group of fellow trampers after battling his way to Kime Hut.

He had activated his distress beacon, but was in bad shape, and search and rescue teams could not arrive until Monday morning, with bad weather forcing them to trek for seven hours to reach him.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) senior search and rescue officer Mike Roberts said the trampers undoubtedly saved the man's life.

'They warmed him and fed him, helping his body temperature stabilise until a Land Search and Rescue [LandSar] team arrived about 3am,' Roberts said.

The rescue team was alerted to the incident about 6pm, and a Wellington Life Flight helicopter was dispatched.

But with low cloud and difficult flying conditions in the mountains, the helicopter could not get near the hut, which is above the bushline.

After being treated by the LandSar team, the man was helped to Field Hut, lower down the range, where he was picked up a Philips Search and Rescue Trust helicopter from Palmerston North. He was understood to be recovering well.

Roberts praised the actions of all involved in the rescue, including the man himself, who registered his beacon before he left Australia and told emergency contacts of his plans.

'If you are in the mountains, take a registered beacon,' Roberts said.

'Registration is legally required, and is free. Make sure you have adequate food, water and equipment.

'These simple measures can save your life.'