Media Release
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Hiker winched off Mt Pirongia
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Mt Pirongia this morning, just after first light, to retrieve an
injured hiker. A 38yr old Te Awamutu woman had been hiking with friends to the summit yesterday when she rolled her
ankle on the descent. After struggling on for some time a decision was made to stop with one of her companions while the
others continued down to raise the alarm.
Last night the rescue helicopter attempted to retrieve her but she was unable to be reached with low cloud obscuring the
mountain. Police SAR deployed a team to hike up and camp overnight with the woman. This morning, with improved weather,
she was able to be winched into the helicopter with a St John Advanced Paramedic. She was then flown to Waikato Hospital
for further treatment.
Philips Search and Rescue Trust is a charitable organisation, operating rescue helicopters throughout the Central North
Island. Philips Search and Rescue Trust relies on support from principal sponsors and community donations. Special
thanks to Waikato King Country's principal sponsor, Westpac. This crucial financial support ensures our rescue
helicopters can continue to bring life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and trauma-trained medics directly to the
patient. For further information about PSRT visit our website http://rescue.org.nz.
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