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Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Recognition for daring rescue of tramper
Zack Armstrong (left) and Hernan Holliday show their awards presented by Associate Minister for Transport James Meager, at Parliament, this week. PHOTO: RACHEL ROBERTS Two Greymouth critical care paramedics crewing for the Roa Mining West Coast Rescue Helicopter were recognised this week at a function at Parliament for the daring rescue of a tramper trapped between two boulders in the swift-flowing Taipo River last June. Zack Armstrong and Hernan Holliday were both presented with NZSAR Certificates of Achievement for Operational Activity. A woman and her husband were out on a clear, frosty day enjoying a tramp when they attempted to cross the Taipo, inland from Kumara. The husband stumbled during the crossing, knocking his wife off balance and causing her foot to become wedged between two boulders in the ice-cold water. When it became apparent he could not rescue her on his own, the husband activated their personal locator beacon and the rescue helicopter was sent from Greymouth. When the paramedics reached the woman she had been trapped in fast-flowing, chest-deep water for nearly an hour and was losing consciousness due to the cold. The rescued woman recalled her ordeal and the arrival of the helicopter team. ''A kind, gentle voice arrived behind me, and when I got a little stressed he said that they were going to take my pack. ''Hernan promised they wouldn't let me go. I was pretty tired, and my legs and arms were almost numb. ''Both crew worked together to free my foot and get me to the bank and deal with the hypothermia''. The crew later described the situation as ''critical'' and said another 30 minutes in the water ''could have been devastating''. The two paramedics worked to free the woman, Mr Armstrong submerging himself to establish how her foot had been trapped. ''Freeing her required co-ordinated and intense physical effort, which took more than five minutes of exposure to the very cold, swift waters,'' the award citation said. Once freed from the river, the woman was given warming treatment and assessed on the riverbank before being winched into the helicopter with her husband, and flown to hospital where she was treated for hypothermia and a leg injury. The awards are determined by the New Zealand Search and Rescue Council and presented annually. Last year, search and rescue teams attended 3472 incidents, resulting in 138 lives saved where they would have been lost without intervention, and 777 people located and returned to a safe location. Teams also aided 928 people at low risk, adding up to 3211 people hours and 2683 operational asset hours. - By Meg Fulford
Scoop
06-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Exceptional Achievements And Dedication Honoured At The NZ Search And Rescue Awards
A surf lifeguard diving under an upturned boat, forcing open the cabin hatch and pulling a trapped man free. Two decades of developing and improving a device for people with cognitive impairments, significantly increasing the chances of a successful search and rescue operation. These are just two examples of the exceptional skill and dedication being celebrated at this year's New Zealand's Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Awards. These awards are presented annually in recognition of outstanding achievements within New Zealand's Search and Rescue Region, which covers 30 million square kilometres. This evening (Tuesday 6 May 2025) the Hon James Meager, Associate Minister for Transport will present two Gold Awards and seven Certificates of Achievement at this year's ceremony, being held at Parliament. The Awards are determined by the New Zealand Search and Rescue Council. 'The tales of determination and commitment to search and rescue are truly inspiring,' says Acting Council Chair Ruth Fairhall. 'Each of these recipients have gone above and beyond to help reunite the lost, missing and injured with their friends and whānau.' 'On behalf of all New Zealand, we congratulate the Award recipients. Your contributions to our society are incredibly important, and we are very grateful for your exceptional dedication and service.' Awards given in the Operations category recognise significant rescue operations that took place between 1 January and 31 December 2024. Awards given in the Support category recognise the contributions of individuals to search and rescue in New Zealand. Those receiving awards are: Gold Award – Operational Activity The Gold Award for Operational Activity is awarded for a very significant contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during 2024. Raglan Surf Lifesaving Club For the rescue of three people from a boat overturned on the Raglan Bar. On 1 December 2024, Police were informed that a small fishing boat carrying a family of three had capsized crossing the Raglan Bar. Although the son had been thrown clear and the mother was able to get out of the boat, the father remained trapped in the upturned hull, breathing from a small air pocket. Members of the Raglan Surf Life Saving Club were training nearby with Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB). They responded immediately and pulled the mother and son from the water. Unable to locate the father, a Surf Lifeguard entered the water to check the boat, cutting his way through tangled fishing line. After banging on the hull and hearing a response from the forward cabin, the Surf Lifeguard forced open the cabin hatch and pull the trapped man free. These swift actions almost certainly saved the man's life. Gold Award – Support Activity The Gold Award for Support Activity is awarded for a very significant contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region. Ian Trethowen For the development and ongoing support of WanderSearch. A WanderSearch device is a small, radio frequency transmitter than can be worn by individuals with cognitive impairment who are at risk of going missing or becoming lost. Ian developed and manufactured the first devices, which were issued in Nelson in 2006 and quickly showed their value. Over the years, Ian has made significant improvements to the wearable devices and the tracking equipment. His ongoing dedication and commitment to improving the technology has profoundly improved the safety and well-being of many vulnerable individuals and the effectiveness of search and rescue for people with cognitive impairment. Certificates of Achievement – Operational Activity The NZSAR Certificates of Achievement for Operational Activity are awarded for an important contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during 2024. Coastguard South Taranaki For the search for a missing diver near Pātea Bar, South Taranaki. Zack Armstrong and Hernan Holliday, GCH Aviation – Greymouth team members. For the rescue of a tramper trapped between boulders in the Taipo River. For the rescue of fishermen swept from rocks near Tapotupotu Bay. Certificates of Achievement – Support Activity The NZSAR Certificates of Achievement for Support Activity are awarded for an important contribution to search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region. Bart Kindt For the development of SARTrack Incident Management Software. Graeme Hill For his service and commitment to New Zealand Land Search and Rescue Dogs and Search and Rescue in the Waikato region. Don Robertson For his service and commitment to Amateur Radio Emergency Communication (AREC). Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro – Tūwharetoa For Iwi support to Police Search and Rescue in the Central North Island and Bay of Plenty. Search and rescue statistics For the year ending 31 December 2024, there were 3,472 search and rescue (SAR) incidents, where authorities believe a person was a risk and in need of SAR services. Within these incidents, there were: 138 Lives saved, where if SAR agencies had not intervened, lives would definitely have been lost. 777 people rescued, where SAR agencies locate and rescue people at risk, and return them to a safe location. 928 people assisted, where SAR agencies aid people at low risk but who, if left, would be at risk. 63,211 people hours. 2,683 operational asset hours.
