Key Takeaways
- An 80-year-old hiker got lost and collapsed in the Kauaeranga Valley in Coromandel while wearing only shorts and a singlet.
- A mother and her two teenagers found the man and kept him warm by huddling around him until rescue teams arrived.
- The elderly man had no emergency supplies apart from a phone, which police used to pinpoint his location.
- Police and search and rescue teams were unable to land a helicopter due to deteriorating weather, but eventually reached the man at first light on Monday morning.
- The incident highlights the importance of being prepared for any eventuality when hiking or tramping, including wearing appropriate clothing and taking food and water.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident involved an 80-year-old hiker who got lost and collapsed in the Kauaeranga Valley in Coromandel. The man was wearing only shorts and a singlet, and had no emergency supplies apart from a phone. Police were alerted by the man’s family at around 10pm on Sunday that he was lost, had run out of water, and had collapsed on the trail. The police were able to pinpoint the man’s location through his mobile phone, which showed that he was only 100m from Crosbies Hut.
The Rescue Efforts
A helicopter was sent to rescue the man, but it was unable to land due to deteriorating weather. However, police and search and rescue teams were able to contact a mother and her two teenagers who were staying at the nearby hut. The family was asked to help find the lost man, and they quickly located him. The mother and her teenagers then huddled around the man to keep him warm, and made their way back to the hut to wait for rescuers. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, a second helicopter was sent, but it too was unable to land. Eventually, police and search and rescue teams were able to reach the man at first light on Monday morning.
The Importance of Preparation
The incident highlights the importance of being prepared for any eventuality when hiking or tramping. According to Waikato West area commander Inspector Mike Henwood, the elderly man was very close to not being able to continue, and if it weren’t for the family staying at the hut nearby, things could have been very different. Henwood emphasized the need for hikers to wear appropriate clothing and take food and water, even for short walks, especially if they are unsure of the area. The fact that the man had no emergency supplies apart from a phone, and was wearing only shorts and a singlet, made his situation even more precarious.
The Role of the Rescuers
The role of the mother and her two teenagers in rescuing the elderly man cannot be overstated. By huddling around him to keep him warm, they helped to prevent further harm and kept him alive until rescue teams arrived. The police and search and rescue teams also played a crucial role in locating the man and eventually reaching him. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, they were able to pinpoint the man’s location and send help. The incident is a testament to the importance of community and the role that ordinary people can play in helping those in need.
Conclusion
The incident involving the 80-year-old hiker who got lost and collapsed in the Kauaeranga Valley in Coromandel is a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for any eventuality when hiking or tramping. The fact that the man had no emergency supplies apart from a phone, and was wearing only shorts and a singlet, made his situation even more precarious. However, thanks to the quick thinking and actions of the mother and her two teenagers, as well as the police and search and rescue teams, the man was able to receive the help he needed. The incident highlights the need for hikers to be prepared, and to always carry emergency supplies, including food, water, and warm clothing. By doing so, they can help to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.