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Rapid Response: The Heroic Efforts Behind a Wilderness Rescue Mission
-41.5492732°S, 175.2271268°E
Posted on March 14, 2024 by Holly
What happened?
Holly’s PLB wilderness rescue started when she and Mal, from London, joined Isy from Hawke’s Bay on a 3-day hike across Kawakawa Station in the Southern Wairarapa, a luxury walk with excellent food and lodgings.
Day 1 covered 11km from sea level up to 616 meters along farm tracks. Day 2 was a 9km walk on narrower tracks through regenerated and virgin bush, descending steadily towards the river to our third-night lodgings.
Walking through Pam’s Path, a narrow track with loose stones, Holly stepped over a large rock, causing her left foot to slip sideways down the slope. Hearing a crack and feeling pain immediately, she knew her ankle was in trouble.
With no way for Mal and Isy to assist her on the narrow path, and Holly unable to put any weight on her injured foot, we utilized walkie-talkie contact with Rebecca, our host at Kawakawa Station. Rebecca phoned 111, and upon advice, we set off our ResQLink 400 PLB as we were in a location requiring a helicopter rescue.
With some trepidation, we complied and made Holly as comfortable as possible while we waited. Another message came in on the walkie-talkie, instructing us to shake a tree and any bright-colored cloth to help the helicopter identify our location precisely.
Soon, the helicopter arrived, and paramedic James was winched down. He promptly prepared Holly to be winched up with him into the helicopter. The entire process proceeded smoothly and professionally.
Holly was taken to Masterton Hospital, where X-rays confirmed she had broken her fibula bone near her ankle.
The decision to call for help via our walkie-talkie and PLB ensured Holly’s swift rescue and necessary medical treatment. The speed with which the helicopter and rescue team reached them in the dense forest was thanks to our PLB and Mal’s resourcefulness in shaking the tree.
Our grateful thanks to Westpac Rescue Wellington, Kawakawa Station & our ResQLink for the coordinated PLB wilderness rescue.
Words of wisdom
A PLB is necessary in almost any conditions – be prepared.
Thank you note
We tell everyone we meet now about the amazing rescue and how important a PLB is when you venture out into the bush.
Rescue location
2631 Cape Palliser Road, Cape Palliser 5772, New Zealand
Rescue team
Westpac Rescue Helicopter
ResQLink™ 400
Go to product details$379.95 – $394.95
Small but resilient, the ResQLink 400 has been professionally engineered and tested to ensure it can withstand even the harshest elements. This buoyant Personal Locator Beacon requires no subscription for use and can be utilized to enhance your safety in a wide variety of environments. Whether on land, at sea, or in the air, trust that the ResQLink’s satellite precision and military durability, put rescue in the palm of your hands.
Features and Benefits:
- No Subscription Required
- GPS and Galileo GNSS
- Built-In Buoyancy
- Strobe and Infrared Strobe
- Global Coverage
- MEOSAR Compatible
- Small and lightweight
- 5-year battery life
- 24+ hours Operational Life**
- Multi-function Clip System Included