Mountain hike ends in rescue helicopter ride
An innocent sip from a stream was all it took to turn a hike on Mt Tauhara into a helicopter ride.
Fay Selby-Law said she was taking in the amazing views from the mountain with her daughter, Mihi, when she went to take a drink, a statement from Philips Search and Rescue Trust said. One slip on a steep gradient was all it took, and Selby-Law snapped her ankle. As her daughter was phoning for help, a policeman who worked in the local rescue squad approached them.
‘‘Forget anything except a helicopter,’’ he said and continued down the mountain to arrange a rescue.
Selby-Law said when she was told a helicopter would come, she didn’t think it would work due to the dense canopy. Passing good samaritans heading down the mountain deposited articles of clothing beside Selby-Law as she shivered in her singlet and shorts.
The policeman reappeared with his brother and reassured Selby-Law the helicopter was on its way.
‘‘This still isn’t going to work,’’ she thought dubiously. A short time later, the Greenlea rescue helicopter could be heard circling the mountain. A stranger then stumbled upon the group and said he had worked in Australia directing helicopters, so helped with communication to bring the helicopter in while everyone gave trees a vigorous shake. Those gathered around broke branches to give the intensive care paramedic (ICP) ease of access.
Then, a nurse and doctor also appeared as they were climbing the mountain. They assisted the ICP as he administered pain relief, splinted the break and prepared Selby-Law to be winched.
‘‘As I was being winched up above the canopy under the hovering aircraft, I was thinking, ‘This is the only time in my life that I’m going to see this amazing bird’s-eye view of the sun setting on the other side of Lake Taupo¯ ’ – and it was incredible.
‘‘All my doubts about a helicopter rescue . . . they can’t do this, they can’t do that. But of course they could, because they’re so skilled and experienced. We’re immensely lucky to have the rescue helicopter service.’’
At Rotorua Hospital, SelbyLaw had surgery on her shredded ligaments and tendons and a pin and plate were inserted.
‘‘I could have been lying on that mountain for hours. Without the rescue helicopter, I would’ve been carried down the mountain, and it wouldn’t have been fun.’’