Search and resuce operation highlights need for right equipment

A Search & Rescue operation was launched at approximately 5.50pm yesterday after a tramper failed to return from a day walk on the 6th January 2010 in the Buller Gorge area.

Mr. Kevin Boyes, aged 48yrs, from Greymouth had walked into the Paparoa National Park via the Hawks Crag Stream intending to return that day.

Police were first alerted that he was overdue at 9.00am on the 7th January by his partner. Shortly after she contacted police she received a text message from Mr. Boyes who was lucky enough to have found cellular phone reception from the remote location he was in.

At this point he stated he was okay and that he would walk out to the Buller Gorge via the Blackwater River, however at 3.00pm he still had not made it out.

Phone contact was again made with him and he indicated he was tired, wet, and trapped by bluffs and the now flooded Blackwater River.

The man was located by the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter at approximately 6.45pm and winched to safety.

Police would like to again reinforce the importance of taking adequate equipment should something go wrong, pay close attention to weather forecasts, and to leave good written intentions of your route and trip details with a responsible person.

"In this case it was very lucky that our subject got stuck in the only area of cellular phone coverage for miles. Even with talking to him on the phone from the helicopter it took several passes to locate him amongst the tall trees. Without this, the chances of locating him were very slim".

On a positive note Mr. Boyes did follow some good basic outdoor rules by informing his partner of where he was going, and remaining in the same place once he realised his situation.