The Life Flight Trust airlifts lost trampers and an injured motorcross rider

The Life Flight Trust has this afternoon carried out 2 missions, the first involving 4 lost trampers and the second an injured motocross rider.

At approximately 1145 this morning the Life Flight Trust was responded by the Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in Wellington (RCCNZ) to an emergency locator beacon operating in the Tararua ranges.

Life Flight responded with a Wellington Free Paramedic on board the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The information available from family members was that a party of 4 trampers were due at the Mitre Flats Hut after leaving from the Tarn Ridge Hut. This information, and the 406 beacon emergency beacon carried by the trampers, enabled them to be located quickly by the helicopter crew, using direction finding equipment on the helicopter.

“The trampers had done pretty much everything right” said crewman Colin Larsen. “ Once they realized they needed help they had set off their 406 beacon, got themselves into a relatively clear spot, had bright coloured clothing on and laid out a silver ‘space blanket’ to attract out attention”. “This combined with the 406 beacon and good planning and communication with family members regarding their intentions, made what could have been a protracted search into a fairly straight forward rescue”.

The 4 were uninjured but weary after their ordeal and were airlifted to Carterton, where family were to meet them and take them home.

Shortly after dropping off the grateful tramping party the helicopter was responded to Bidwills Crossing near Martinborough where an 18 year old Wellington motocross rider had fallen and then been struck by another bike.

He was taken by helicopter to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department, where is being assessed for a possible fractured arm and concussion.

The Life Flight Trust is a charity providing air rescue and air ambulance services. It operates the Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a national air ambulance service. It relies on support from the public and sponsorship from partners such as Westpac to provide these services. Further information can be obtained from www.lifeflight.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media