Tramper’s emotional farewell to NZ
A Czech tramper who spent a month alone in a remote hut following the death of her partner has thanked her rescuers and was expected to head home either yesterday or today.
Pavlina Pizova witnessed the death of companion Ondrej Petr, 27, after a fall down a bank on the Routeburn Track and then spent three freezing nights in the snow.
She then made her way to a Department of Conservation warden’s hut, at times wading through waistdeep snow, where she stayed for four weeks before her rescue last week.
Pizova presented a ‘‘fourdigit’’ donation to police, Land Search and Rescue and DOC on Monday
In a thank you letter to police and search and rescue she wrote:
‘‘Nothing can express how grateful I am that our tragedy happened in this area, with your expertise.
‘‘I am overwhelmed by your empathy and gentle support.
‘‘A big thank you for the enormous effort to bring me back to safety and Ondrej back to his family.
‘‘From the bottom of my heart ... Pavlina Pizova.’’ To DOC she wrote: ‘‘Your well-maintained infra- structure literally saved my life.
‘‘Thank you and my apologies for any inconvenience caused.’’
Consul-general for the Czech Republic Vladka Kennett, whose home Pizova has been staying at since the ordeal, said on Tuesday Pizova was ‘‘all good’’ despite being in a ‘‘pretty extreme situation’’.
‘‘I think it will be quite a long process [to move on],’’ Kennett said.
‘‘Considering the situation, she’s doing really well. She’s trying to keep positive [and] she is very much looking forward to getting home.’’
Pizova had been in constant contact with her family and Petr’s family since she was rescued, Kennett said.
Petr’s remains would be transported home in the coming days too, she said.
An autopsy was carried out on Petr’s body on Monday to determine his cause of death.
A police media spokeswoman said police investigations into the tragedy were complete and the matter was now in the hands of the coroner.
A coronial national office spokesman said findings of the investigation would be available in the coming days.
Despite the death, the Routeburn Track and others in the area were unlikely to close over winter, DOC Wakatipu operations manager Geoff Owen said.
"I am overwhelmed by your empathy and gentle support. A big thank you for the enormous effort to bring me back to safety and Ondrej back to his family. From the bottom of my heart." Pavlina Pizova in a letter to police and Land Search and Rescue