Lucky escape for family lost while tramping in Kahurangi National Park

Wednesday, 10 July 2019

A Golden Bay family had a lucky escape after getting lost on a tramp in Kahurangi National Park, with a slim bar of cellphone reception allowing them to make an emergency call. 

The party, which included an adult and three children, aged 5, 7, and 11, had been on a day trip in the hills behind Onekaka. 

Tasman Police Search and Rescue officer Sergeant Malcolm York said the family had set out on Tuesday morning, but had become lost after taking a wrong turn. 

York said they unsuccessfully tried throughout the day to get themselves of the thick bush. 

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'They were very challenging conditions, and once it gets dark it's very hard to move.'

While walking the track they 'very luckily' managed to find a small amount of cellphone reception, ringing 111 at 5.25pm.

Police were then able to track their GPS location to a location in the middle of the bush next to Ironstone Creek, York said. 

Police arrived at the scene around 5.50pm and the group were found 'safe and well' by 7.30pm, with a search team able to get near their location by accessing a 4WD track several hundred metres away. 

Aside from being 'incredibly cold', there were no injuries to anyone in the party, York said.

'It was a nice clear night, but because of that the weather got very cold – they were not expecting to be spending a night outside.' 

York said anyone planning a trip outdoors during the school holidays needed to be prepared to look after themselves. 

He said trampers should take extra clothes with them, let people know where they are planning to go, and rent or buy a personal locator beacon in case they do get into trouble.