New Zealand Police Alert 10:00pm 14 Aug 2008 Canterbury
Location of incident: South Canterbury
Incident type: SAR involving Prime Minister
Media Release
Search and Rescue staff are currently making their way into the Two Thumbs range in the back country of South Canterbury
where the Prime Minister is holidaying.
An emergency call was received late this afternoon after her guide and friend Gotttlieb Otto Braun-Elwert (aged 59)
suffered what is believed to be a heart attack, and subsequently died.
Due to atrocious weather conditions a helicopter which was dispatched from Christchurch has been unable to reach the
location.
Members of the party carried out C P R for a considerable period of time until advised by Ambulance staff that they
should desist.
Search and Rescue volunteers along with a police Search and Rescue Squad member are believed to have reached the hut and
will begin evacuating the party members shortly.
No further media comment will be available until 7am tomorrow morning.
ENDS