Family Rescue Man Lost On Kauri Trail

 An 80-year-old man has had a very lucky escape after getting lost last night while hiking in the Kauaeranga Valley area. He was saved by a mother and her two teenage children. 

Details revealed this morning said police were altered at 10pm to a missing elderly man who had become lost on the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail near Thames. The man had run out of water and had collapsed on the trail. He was only wearing shorts and a singlet and apart from his mobile phone, was carrying no other emergency supplies.

Waikato West Area Commander Inspector, Mike Henwood, said the man was lucky to have his mobile phone and called his family. As soon as his son raised the alarm, emergency services were able to pinpoint his location.

Mike said the man was only 100 metres from Crosbie’s Hut.  A helicopter was deployed and although it arrived at the missing man’s location, it was unable to land due to deteriorating weather.

Enquiries by Police Search and Rescue with DOC discovered that a tramping party was staying at Crosbie’s Hut, and they were contacted to help assist with the lost man. A second helicopter was sent in to assist, however it too was unable to make the landing due to worsening weather.

The mother and teens who were staying at Crosbie’s Hut left the hut and shortly found the elderly man. They formed a human heat circle, helping the man to warm up, before returning to the hut to wait for a rescue team.

This morning, with the aid of Land Search and Rescue teams, we were able to get him out of there, said Mike.

 “The elderly man was grateful to see rescuers, but it was an uncomfortably close call. He was very close to not being able to continue, and if it weren’t for the family staying at the hut nearby, things could have been very different.

 “If you’re going out on an excursion in the bush, or adventuring on tramps, you need to be prepared for any eventuality. It’s important to wear appropriate clothing and take food and water even for a short hike if you’re not sure of the area. Emergency Locator Beacons are cheap to hire, and they’re capable of saving your life, even when there’s no cell phone reception.”