One Climber Seen On Mt Cook/Aoraki
New Zealand Police National News Release
10:38am 2 December 2008
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=4526

Two helicopters this morning located a tent and saw one person waving to them but due to high winds have been unable to make a rescue.

Constable Stu Moir of Tekapo Police says that two helicopters managed to leave Mt Cook Village about 7.30am this morning and flew up Summit Ridge.

They located a red tent above the Porter Col and a person came out and waved to them. The helicopter returned to base to collect 'throw bags', which have essentials for survival but by the time they returned the wind was too high for them to get near.

"The wind was up and it was unsafe to execute a rescue or throw the bags," says Stu Moir. "We're looking at a window at a similar time tomorrow to try to get there but right now there are high winds and a lot of cloud in the area."

ENDS

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