Wairarapa Police are reminding hikers, as winter sets in, to ensure they dress for all weather eventualities.
It comes after a woman injured her ankle hiking in the Tararua Ranges last week.
Despite the pain of a fracture ankle, which happened during a fall about an hour out from ¡°the Pines¡±, the woman was able to keep warm while help arrived.
Detective Constable Richard Butler says the injured woman and her friend were well-equipped with overnight gear.
¡°We always recommend hikers take warm clothing or a jacket, even if only going on a day walk, as conditions can change quickly.
¡°A Personal Locator Beacon can also be a lifesaver when things don¡¯t go to plan.
¡°In this case, the injured woman¡¯s friend was able to hike further along the track to obtain cell phone reception and call emergency services.¡±
Wairarapa Search and Rescue volunteers deployed, along with an ambulance officer and a wheeled stretcher.
Murray Johnston, Chairman of Wairarapa SAR, says the team were well-versed in rescues, but the more prepared people were for the outdoors, the better.
¡°Our volunteers did a fantastic job, and wheeled the woman to safety for further medical treatment.
¡°If you¡¯re heading into the outdoors, our advice is enjoy yourself, but make sure you¡¯re prepared in the event something happens.¡±
ENDS
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Issued by Police Media Centre
