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Tourist rescued near Franz Josef Glacier

Friday 16 October 2009, 2:51PM

By New Zealand Police

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FRANZ JOSEF

A Search & Rescue operation was launched at approximately 7.30pm on the 15th of October 2009 at Franz Josef after a tourist fell over a bluff in the Alex Knob area near the Franz Josef Glacier.

Two men, both tourists, walked up the track to Alex Knob which is very steep, the summit being 1300m.

On the return trip it is believed the men attempted a shortcut, and strayed from the track when one of them fell.

The alarm was raised by his companion who had to walk approximately 2hrs after the incident to find help.

A local helicopter from 'Heliservices' was dispatched initially and located the subject who was well off the track and had also fallen some 30m over a bluff.

Local Search & Rescue Volunteers and Guiding staff from both Fox and Franz were called in and assisted with the care of the patient until he was extracted from the hillside. They also planned a manual extraction in the event the helicopter was unable to reach the patient.

The Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter was dispatched with St.John Paramedics on board and was successful at winching the patient off the hill in difficult circumstances due to steep terrain and poor light conditions.

Both men were not adequately equipped nor had the necessary skills to be in that type of country.

"Once again people have headed into the back country without the correct equipment, without planning, or without leaving intentions with a responsible person.
The patient in this incident is very lucky to be alive and without the skills and dedication of the local rescue response, quite simply would not be."

The patient has been flown to Christchurch Hospital this morning with injuries that include a broken pelvis, arm, head injuries and multiple serious cuts and bruises.

The injured man's name was Graeme Campbell from Scotland.