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Aoraki/Mt Cook Search Stood Down
Aoraki/Mt Cook Search Stood Down
The search for two men who activated their emergency locator beacon on Aoraki/Mt Cook on Friday has been stood down, following confirmation they are safe and well and due to walk out of the national park themselves today.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) launched a search after receiving the beacon alert about 3.15pm on Friday.
The signal was coming from Aoraki/Mt Cook’s Middle Peak. RCCNZ established the beacon had been rented by a pair of male tourists climbing in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
Poor visibility prevented a rescue helicopter entering the area until Saturday morning.
A Lakes District Air Rescue Trust helicopter then sighted two men matching the description of the tourists, apparently in good health and continuing their climb.
RCCNZ mission coordinator Chris Henshaw said the sighting, combined with the fact the men’s beacon had been switched off, satisfied the centre that the tourists were no longer in distress.
“We were confident the two men were safe and well, but we could not stand down the search until we were 100% certain,” Mr Henshaw said.
“Department of Conservation (DOC) staff have now spoken to the men via radio from one of the DOC huts on Aoraki/Mt Cook. They indicated that they suspected one had been suffering from hyperthermia on Friday, which is why they set off their beacon.
“However, after some warm food and hunkering down in a bivouac for the evening, upon reassessment of the situation yesterday morning, they both felt fit to continue on their way.”
Mr Henshaw thanked DOC and local search and rescue personnel for their professionalism and expertise throughout the incident.
“We’re naturally very pleased to know the two men are safe.
“They did all the right things by taking emergency communications equipment with them, making sure friends knew where they were headed and raising the alarm when they had concerns for their safety.
“The search and rescue team down in Aoraki/Mt Cook was ready to do whatever was needed to assist these men, and we thank them for all their work over the past two days.”
ENDS
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