NZDF helping effort to extract trampers

The New Zealand Defence Force has provided an NH90 helicopter this morning to assess weather conditions in the area and if conditions allow to help extract search teams and two trampers found early this morning in the Tararua Ranges.

The NZDF had helped police search teams find the two missing trampers about 1.30am today.

A crew from the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s №3 Squadron battled severe turbulence and low cloud to transport three police-led search and rescue teams into the search area on an NH90 helicopter about 9pm yesterday. They also located an emergency beacon activated by the trampers, helping rescuers to find the men.

“We are pleased to have helped bring a successful outcome to this search and rescue operation,” Air Commodore Andrew Clark, the Air Component Commander, said.

“Our crews are skilled in flying in difficult conditions and in night-vision flying. Incidents like this demonstrate the value of our training and our ability to work effectively with personnel from other agencies.”

The men had gone tramping in the Tararuas on Saturday.