Search And Rescue At Paerau

A search operation was launched on Saturday in the Paerau area near Ranfurly after a group of 4 hunters failed to return from an evening hunt on Friday night.

4 males aged 37, 22, 15 and 14 years of age who all live in the area went out in extremely adverse conditions in a 4WD vehicle and into an area of conservation land on the Rock and Pillar range.

The group had neglected to tell anyone where they were going, and when their vehicle became stuck they were forced to spend the night with the vehicle and shelter from the elements.

There was significant snow and wind prevailing over the district.

The group were adequately clothed, but carried no food or water, or recovery gear or communications equipment.

A family member raised the alarm in the morning when the group had not returned home.

Several farming neighbours went to some effort to inspect tracks and other areas of possible vehicle access throughout the district.

Police from Ranfurly and Alexandra, along with Search and Rescue (SAR) members from both Ranfurly and Alexandra joined in a co-ordinated effort to search for the group.

Searching was complicated without the benefit of a defined search area to cover.

By Saturday afternoon a rescue helicopter was engaged in the search, and police were preparing for a more significant second phase of the search.

A close associate to the hunting group was utilised by the search team to define areas of highest probability, and with assistance from this member, the hunting group were located within 30 minutes of flying time.

The group was rescued by helicopter, and were returned to the search base fit and well with no medical issues.

Police are highly critical of the group, who failed to take some basic safety precautions. This mistake put their own welfare in serious jeopardy, as well as the safety of search members who entered the same environment in the same conditions to look for them.

Police are full of praise for the people who sacrificed their own time and expense to assist and conduct the search. It was a good example of rural networking delivering productive results.

Thanks also to Graeme Gale from Helicopters Otago Ltd.

Police would like to remind people of the importance of telling someone where you are going if venturing into the hills at any time. Preferably take some means of communication with you, but always take some basic resources that will assist you in the case of delayed return.

The vehicle the group were in remains abandoned where it bogged, and will be recovered some time later at the owner's expense.