18 times across Hutt River in dark
Plaudits for constable who rescued family stranded by rising waters
Apolice officer who swam a river gorge 18 times in the dark to rescue a group of stranded people has been praised for her potentially lifesaving effort.
Constable Rochelle Andrews, from Search and Rescue ( SAR) Wellington, ferried the party to safety, one by one, across the Hutt River at Kaitoke, Upper Hutt.
“Rochelle’s actions were exceptional, putting the rescued party’s welfare far above her own,” said Sergeant Ants Harmer, Wellington District SAR co-ordinator, in an article published in the Ten One magazine.
About 3pm on December 29 five children aged between 11 and 16, and one adult, arranged to meet family members at a swimming hole in Kaitoke Regional Park.
They were wearing only
Rochelle’s actions were exceptional. Sergeant Ants Harmer, Wellington SAR co-ordinator
togs for the visit to the swimming hole, a short distance from their campsite at the Greater Wellington Regional Council campground.
When they had not reached the swimming hole or returned to the site by 4pm, concerned family members contacted the camp ranger. The ranger co-ordinated a search but at 6.30pm police were called.
Andrews and dog handler Constable Dan Turner, with SAR-trained dog Kong, were tasked with clearing a likely track. The search area included the Hutt Gorge, the site of multiple searches in the past for people stranded by rising water levels, hypothermia or the challenging terrain.
The LifeFlight Westpac Trust Helicopter was sent to search and, with light fading, spotted the group huddled on a ledge, unable to either safely progress down the river or make their way back.
“The group were in an area of bluffs that prevented them being winched out without getting into the water and putting themselves at further risk,” Andrews said.
“Those risks were compounded by the fact that they had no form of communication with us so could not be informed about what was going on,” she told Ten One.
The helicopter pilot had pushed the machine to its safe operating limits and, unable to get into the gorge safely or reach the group with its 45m winch line, flew back to base.
“When we reached the site it was clear the group were trapped by the river, which was approximately nine metres across with steep high bluffs either side,” Andrews said. “The group were showing signs of early hypothermia, especially the youngest. They were still dressed in just their swimming togs with the air temperature dropping fast.
“We couldn’t make voice contact effectively due to the noise of the river and distance. After a risk assessment, I made the decision to swim across with a dry-bag and provide a limited number of survival blankets and additional clothing that I had.”
Rather than leave the group there until morning, it was decided a rescuer attached to a safety line would swim over and bring them to safety. Andrews volunteered, with another SAR member standing by to take over if fatigue or cold set in.
Once rescued the party were airlifted by an RNZAF NH90 helicopter with night flying ability and a longer winch line.