Difficult Task To Rescue Woman

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30188, 20 July 1963, Page 19

Difficult Task To Rescue Woman

(A«w Zealand Prew Association/

AUCKLAND. July 19.

Eighteen men took six hours and a half over rugged, icy conditions on Mount Ngauruhoe to sledge and carry an injured Swiss woman to a waiting ambulance last night

The injured eltatber. 84-year-old Mise A<nee Bueler. of the Chateau ataff, is in Taiimanmui Hospital with a suspected broken hap and back injuries, after a fall on the climb down from the summit yeaterdey afternoon Another climber, Mr Horst Frank, a 26-year-old Austrian, of the Chateau staff, is in hospital with severe lacerations and multiple abrasions It is thought the pair fell more than 100 ft The sledge had to be lowered by ropes down most of the first IOOOft. ; Eight National Park Board ! rangers set out in freezing ; conditions at 7 o'clock last ! n- ght to rescue Miss Bueler. lying injured on open icy slopes at 6000 feet, directly above Pukekafkiore. some distance from the Mangatepopo hut The night was clear but cold with a 14deg frost. Reached Summit With Miss Bueler was Mr J. Clacey. of the D.5.1.R.. who had stayed to look after her from a party of eight climbers. Four of the party, which set out in perfect weather yesterday attempted to reach the summit. Two turned back and Miss Bueler and Mr Horst Frank made the top. On the descent they both slipped on ice and slid down | the dangerous slopes.

Mr Frank was able to walk out to the Chateau with the reat of the party and was taken to the Taumarumu Hospital for treatment Mias Bueler had only an extra sweeter apart from the clothes she was wearing, and Mr Clacey had no extra protection againri the cold The party reached the ambulance about 4am Miss Bueler's condition in hospital today is quite comfortable Mr Prank's condition is satisfactory. “Tough Rescue” 1 Mt J. W Mazey. the chief ranger said today: “It was a tough rescue. "Around 11 pm. one of the first rescue party came back for more help. At nudnaght another party of ski instructors and chairlift operators set out “The rescue party had a tough climb down over rugged conditions I suppose. about three miles and a half. ’’They sledged the stretcher over the icy bits and had to carry it the rest of the way ’’Normally it takes 12 men to get a stretcher out—six working at a time. They can only handle five or 10 m-nutea at a stretch" Building Permits.-Building permits to the value of £ 16.785 were issued by fhe Hfclswell County Council during tihe month'