Mackenzie Hinde, a Year 13 student and a committed member of the Nina Valley Restoration group, helped co-ordinate the rescue of a tramper in the Boyle River area.
Mackenzie was awarded a certificate of appreciation by Hurunui sub area supervisor, Sergeant Rob Irvine, at a special assembly this week, along with a certificate from former Hurunui mayor Winton Dalley, for her efforts.
Mackenzie, part of a college team staying at Nina Hut, said she stepped up because someone needed to keep track of everybody out on a dark and cold August evening to support a tramper who had fallen in a stream. The person was drenched, had no memory of the fall, and was cold.
Ursula Jewell, who arrived at the hut earlier, had seen Mackenzie's leadership qualities as she organised younger people to inflate mattresses to sleep on the floor, and free up beds for trampers due after dark.
The drama began around 8pm when five of a party of seven failed to reach the hut. Ursula, who recommended Mackenzie be commended for her work, and who had search and rescue experience, went in search of them with one other from the hut. She was armed with a radio Mackenzie gave her.
''About half an hour up the track we came across one of the five, who was coming our way (to get help),'' she says. He said the tramper who fell was hypothermic and could barely walk. ''This is when the radio became incredibly useful.''
They were able to liaise back to Nina hut to ask for a couple of people from the hut to meet the person making his way along the track.
''Meanwhile, Mackenzie had taken on the role as incident control centre at Nina hut.
''It was amazing to have such great support. Mackenzie's actions were absolutely critical to the success of the rescue mission. Not long after, she confirmed over radio that the hiker had made it to the hut safely,'' Ursula says.
The injured tramper made it to the hut with the help of some first-aid, pain relief and walking poles. Mackenzie kept checking on their progress regularly and ensured the hut was warm.
''She absolutely demonstrated incredible leadership, local knowledge, and acted in a responsible and helpful way rarely seen in adults, and well beyond the average year 13 student,'' Ursula says.
''Alongside these extra duties that she took on by herself, she continued to also co-ordinate her party (a mix of children and adults), cooked dinner/supper for everyone, organised sleeping arrangements, cooked breakfast in the morning, organised packing up and cleaning up in a timely and efficient manner, and set off with her party for another day of trap resetting.''
Mackenzie says her scouting knowledge and going on patrols helped ensure a happy ending.
All five delayed trampers made it safely to the hut that evening.
