Dramtic air rescue saves tramper
Published: October 27, 2004
A brief clearance in bad weather allowed for a dramatic air rescue of an injured Christchurch tramper from the slopes of Mt Owen where he had lain overnight after a 100m fall.
Tasman police district assistant Search and Rescue coordinator Sherp Tucker said the 25-year-old was winched aboard the helicopter yesterday about 3pm after lying in severe pain with suspected back injuries for more than 24 hours.
Low cloud prevented earlier attempts to retrieve the man who slipped and fell from Sunrise Peak, about 27km north of Murchison, about 12.15pm on Sunday.
The man had plunged down a bush and tussock covered face and landed on a steep ledge.
Two teams of Search and Rescue personnel and St John Ambulance paramedics walked about five hours and made five river crossings to reach the man and provide medical assistance until an air rescue was possible.
Mr Tucker said the helicopter was sent to Murchison yesterday morning so it could respond quickly when the weather broke.
The cloud lifted just before 3pm and the helicopter rushed to retrieve the man. But rolling cloud meant it was forced to hover above the accident site briefly.
When the weather broke again, a Search and Rescue officer was winched down to the ledge with a stretcher and the injured man was flown to the safety of Owen Valley.
Mr Tucker said the helicopter returned to pick up the officer and a paramedic to provide medical treatment on the journey back to Nelson. But the cloud returned and the paramedic had to be left behind.
“All the cloud was coming back very quickly, so away they flew.
“It stayed very cloudy and murky, it was the only break we had all day.”
The injured tramper was retrieved from Owen Valley and flown to Nelson Hospital where he was today in a satisfactory condition.
Mr Tucker said there were no other breaks in the weather and the man would probably have endured another night on the mountain if the helicopter had been forced to respond from Nelson.
Ground crews walked off the mountain soon after the rescue and reached their vehicles in Owen Valley about 7.30pm yesterday.
Mr Tucker said the injured tramper had suspected back injuries and several broken teeth, but had been wearing a climbing helmet which probably prevented more serious injuries.
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