New Zealand Police Alert 20:00 13-01-2008 Canterbury

Location of incident: South Westland

Incident Type: Missing tramper located

Safer Communities Together

HOKITIKA POLICE STATION

12/01/08

General Media Release

Re: Search and Rescue Operation; Wanganui River; South Westland

On the 12th January 2008 Police were advised of an overdue tramper in the Wanganui River area of South Westland.

The lone female tramper, Irene Petrove of New Plymouth and her dog had entered the area on the 4th January 2008 and was due to uplift her vehicle on the 11th January.

Although well equiped and experienced she became stranded at Hunters Hut after a period of heavy rain caused the river to rise. High temperatures in the area have accelerated snow melt in the headwaters which also affected the river level, causing it to stay high for longer than usual once the rain stopped.

Police and Search and Rescue volunteers flew into the area and located the Miss Petrove as part of the initial search operation. Although she had a minor knee injury and the dog was footsore both were flown to out of the area safe and well.

Police praise Miss Petrove for her actions. She has done the right thing by waiting for the river to recede before attempting to cross.

ENDS

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