Call for trampers to carry beacons

Rescue staff are renewing calls for trampers to carry emergency beacons after the partner of a wounded Dunedin woman descended Mitre Peak and kayaked back to Milford village to raise the alarm.

At about 2.30pm yesterday a 30-year-old Dunedin woman suffered a leg injury while climbing on the footstool area of Mitre Peak in Milford Sound.

Her partner made his way down to the base of the peak and paddled his kayak to Milford village to raise the alarm.

Te Anau Police were contacted at 7.15pm and coordinated a rescue.

The Southern Lakes helicopter was flown to the site with a doctor and paramedic on board. The climber was located, winched from the site and flown to hospital in Invercargill suffering a suspected broken ankle.

Te Anau police Search and Rescue Sergeant Tod Hollebon said although the outcome was favourable, carrying another form of communication such as an emergency locator beacon would have ensured a much faster response.

 

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