19-year-old tramper rescued in Franz Joseph Valley

On the 30th of January 2008 at approximately 3.30pm a Search & Rescue Operation was commenced for an injured tramper near Alex Knob in the Franz Joseph Valley. 

19yr old Brett Grant, a Franz Joseph glacier guide, fell and broke his ankle in thick bush just below the knob while descending. A team of his colleagues were flown in by the Helicopter Line to locate him and carry him to an area suitable for helicopter evacuation. 

This task took approximately two hours involving a long stretcher carry on a rugged section of the ridge, and the lowering of the patient using climbing ropes down a steep slip to allow helicopter access. 

The Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter with a paramedic on board was then able to lift Mr. Grant out of the hills utilising a long line strop. He was then recovered into the aircraft and flown to Grey Base Hospital for treatment. 

Constable Paul Gurney of the Whataroa police said that the operation ran very smoothly despite the awkward location of the patient and steep nature of the country. 

'The rescue team on the ground did the lion share of the work carrying the patient up hill for several hundred meters, and included the use of technical rope skills to lower the patient so he could be air lifted out.' 

Mr. Grant was just out for a walk and was not guiding at the time of the incident. He was able to use his mobile phone to call for help.