Winched to safety by RNZAF NH90 helicopter
A missing tramper has been winched to safety today by crew on a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter.
24 November, 2023
The Rescue Coordination Centre NZ sought NZ Police, NZ Defence Force and LandSAR assistance to locate the tramper after her beacon was activated at about 6.45pm in the vicinity of Neil Forks Hut in the Tararua Forest Park.
The NH90 crew, describing the weather conditions as very challenging, were unable to locate the tramper last night. They then flew a ground search and rescue team in to Neil Forks Hut, so that team could resume the search for the tramper at first light.
The tramper was located just after 8am today, wet from a night in the bush but not injured.
She had become lost and disorientated on a multi-day solo hike in the central Tararuas.
The tramper and ground search team were extracted by winch from the remote area and flown to Masterton.