Mum's advice pays dividend for rescued tramper

A 21-year-old Auckland tramper suffering from hypothermia has been rescued in the Nelson region after setting off the emergency locator beacon his mother insisted he carry.

The signal was received by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand at 3.45pm today (Sunday, 27 May).

The Rescue Coordination Centre directed a helicopter from Garden City Helicopters, with a paramedic onboard, to Granity Pass Hutt near Mt Owen, and the man and his male companion were picked up at approximately 5.15pm and flown to Nelson.

The man told rescuers his mother had insisted he buy the beacon – it was the first major trip he had taken since buying the equipment. He had developed symptoms of hypothermia after falling in a river.

Note: Maritime New Zealand is unable to release the names of rescued individuals.