Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand Media Release
Saturday February 7 2009 7.25pm

Dramatic Fiordland Helicopter Rescue

A man was rescued by helicopter from a precarious position on a bluff above near Lake Roe in Fiordland.

National Rescue Coordination Centre Mission Controller Keith Allen said that a Personal Emergency Locator Beacon was detected by the satellite at around 11.00am this morning.

“A Southern Lakes Helicopter was dispatched and quickly located a tramper who had fallen down a bluff and was perched precariously over a steep drop, unable to move either up or down,” said Mr Allen.

“The tramper was picked up in a very difficult manoeuvre by swinging a rescuer on a long line from the helicopter and carefully winching him back to safety,” said Mr Allen’

Experienced helicopter pilot Richard Hayes said that it was the worst position he had ever been required to recover a live person from.

The tramper was taken to Te Anau, but is understood to have sustained only minor injuries.

Mr Allen said that the speedy rescue once again proved the value of trampers carrying personal locator beacons.

ENDS

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