MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 30 January 2005
Time: 7:30am

Search for Emergency Beacon Underway

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre is co-ordinating the search for an emergency locator beacon that has been detected in the Mt Cook Area.

A rescue helicopter from Mt Cook has been tasked this morning with trying to locate the beacon, and will be assisted by a fixed wing aircraft operating out of Lake Tekapo.

The beacon was first detected last night, but the RCCNZ had to wait until daylight to mount a search.

UPDATE

A climber has been found on the North Ridge of Mount Cook, apparently with a broken leg. A heleicopter from Christchurch with specialist winching equipment has been called in to assist.

ENDS