Beacon decision pays off

A tramper injured in a fall in Kahurangi National Park was carrying a locator beacon for the first time. Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter pilot Brendan Hiatt said the chopper’s crew winched a female tramper from Mt Olympus in the park in northwest Nelson about 5.30pm on Wednesday. The helicopter had responded to a personal locator beacon signal sent through the Rescue Coordination Centre. Hiatt said it was the first time the tramper had hired a beacon before setting out. The helicopter returned from transporting her to Nelson Hospital at 7.10pm.