High Altitude rescue for Greenlea Rescue Helicopter | Philips Search and Rescue Trust
Philips Search and Rescue Trust

High Altitude rescue for Greenlea Rescue Helicopter

The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was called to a high altitude rescue late Saturday afternoon.

A woman hiking with colleagues, slipped on ice, and fell into a 15m deep crevasse. She was out of sight but able to communicate that she was uninjured and unable to get out on her own.

Using the Tukino ski area as a staging ground, the rescuers were spot loaded into the scene. Due to the now fading light her five companions were transported back to the safety and hospitality of the Tukino lodges.

After about an hour the RARO team were able to rig a rope belay system and haul the woman to safety.

The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter recovered the RARO team and recovered woman to safety.

Faced with darkness, working with passing cloud and near gale winds, made for a challenging evening.

Thanks to the highly skilled and experienced crew for a great outcome.

 

 

We Need You

Your support ensures rescue helicopters are available to your community.
Your rescue helicopter can be airborne in 10 minutes and, in a life or death situation this speed and agility can make all the difference. The timely assistance that rescue helicopters provide can reduce disability and improve survival – the sooner treatment begins, the greater chance of patient recovery.

The cost of this is huge. Your rescue helicopter has contracts with ACC, DHB’s and NZ police, providing approximately 50% of the operating costs. This means the remaining 50% of funding must come from the community.

Without your support, your rescue helicopter would not be able to remain operational on a 24/7, 365 day a year basis. This could mean a serious delay in people being rescued, or transported to hospital for urgent treatment.

Support your rescue helicopter and make a life saving difference.
Donate Now

Sign up to our newsletter