Helicopter swoops in to save Tararua trampers
Three trampers plucked by helicopter from the Tararua range are grateful they invested $700 in an emergency locator beacon.
The trio, who were all experienced trampers, had hiked to Elder Hut and were trying to walk down another track when they got into trouble.
‘‘We thought we could go down the spur, but it turns out we couldn’t,’’ one of the three, who did not want to be named, said.
‘‘We came down into a little gorge and couldn’t keep going down the river, but also couldn’t get up the sides.
‘‘It was getting late and we were getting tired, so we decided to set the beacon off before things turned really bad.’’
They put their brightly coloured clothes out beside the river to help the helicopter find them and waited to be rescued, the woman said. ‘‘The helicopter came within the hour. ‘‘It was amazing.’’ The Westpac Life Flight helicopter picked up the trampers and flew them to the Otaki Forks car park about 6.15pm.
Cold and tired, the trampers expressed their gratitude to the rescue staff, and said they were looking forward to some muchneeded rest and relaxation.
‘‘It’s off home for a cup of tea now.’’
"It was getting late and we were getting tired, so we decided to set the beacon off before things turned really bad." Unnamed tramper