Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

NZDF Finds Missing Hunter in Kaimanawa Ranges

5 December 2016

NZDF Finds Missing Hunter in Kaimanawa Ranges

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has found the 60-year-old hunter who has been reported missing in the Kaimanawa Ranges since Saturday evening.

Crew from the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) 3 Squadron winched the hunter on board an NH90 helicopter after spotting him standing on a riverbed shortly before 11am, waving his survival blanket. The man was wearing a blue hunting vest, an orange beanie and shorts.

“We had just dropped off the last of the Police’s search teams and were flying out of the valley when our Helicopter Loadmaster spotted him,” NH90 captain Flight Lieutenant Peter Familton said.

“It is a fantastic outcome and the one we had hoped for. The crew are very happy that we are able to bring the man home to his family.”

The hunter and a friend were due to return from a day-long hunting trip on Saturday evening. However, he took a wrong turn and got separated from his companion, who notified Police after he got out of the ranges on Sundaymorning.

FLTLT Familton said the hunter told them that he took shelter under a cliff and lit a fire to keep him warm the past two nights.

“We gave him food and water as he had not eaten anything since Saturday.”

An Air Force doctor checked the man before dropping him off at Turangi, where Police have set up a command post.

The NH90 helicopter left RNZAF Base Ohakea at first light this morning to fly a Police search team that comprised 12 staff and a dog.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“We are delighted that the hunter has been found. It is a relief to have such a great result – for the hunter and his family and for the entire community, particularly as we head towards Christmas when family is so important,” Air Commodore Darryn Webb, the Air Component Commander, said.

The RNZAF’s NH90 medium utility helicopters and P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft have flown more than 200 flying hours on 16 search and rescue missions in New Zealand and the south west Pacific since January.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.