Night in bush for Queensland family

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34021, 10 December 1975, Page 22

Night in bush for Queensland family

Z. Press Association) INVERCARGILL, December 9. A twisted sign on a bush track resulted in a night in the Fiordland bush for Mrs Julie McNamara, of Rockhampton, Queensland, and her two children, Brad, aged eight, and Michelle, aged seven.

The family are on holiday at Lake Manapouri. On Monday thev decided to walk the Circle Track, a three-hour walk along a bush-covered ridge, on the opposite bank of the Waiau River at the Pearl Harbour tourist launch jetty. The track divides at the foot of the ridge, where there

'are sign posts pointing the I way, not only for Circle [Track walkers, but also for i those wishing to go to a hut lon the far side of the ridge. The Circle Track sign had been twisted around to a 90degree angle and was pointing in the general direction of the Back Valley hut. Mrs McNamara continued from this junction towards the Back Valley. When the party arrived there, they saw another sign! pointing to the Hope Arm hut and they continued on thisj track, believing it was still:

''part of the Circle Track. How(ever. when they reached the ■ next sign post, Mrs Mc- : Namara could see they had gone in the wrong direction, and she decided to retrace her steps. Finally, the party turned back along the Gamock Bum Valley and slept the night in the bush. This morning Mrs McNamara tried to walk out, but the children were unable to. ; Mrs McNamara set off I alone at 11.30 a.m. and left I a note on the sign post leading to Hope Arm, explaining 'what had happened. This note ! led to the finding of the children at about 2.30 p.m. The note, found by Mr John Gardiner, a park board ranger, I read: “Have left note in 'cabin. Must get help for kids.! Brad vomiting. Couldn’t walk.: Left them miles up Gamock Burn, close to river at 11.30; a.m. Time now 1.45 p.m. I am very frightened for them. , I have gone back valley! way.” The children were found; by Constable C. Hughes, ac-l companied by Burton Murrell, one of the searchers. The) two men were directed to the; area by radio after Mr Gardi-; ner received the message left' on the sign post. The children were flown out by a helicopter, flown by; Mr Bill Black, of Te Anau. Mrs McNamara was found by Mr Gardiner on the track leading back to the Back Valiev hut. She was flown out an hour after the children. All three were in good shape, in spite of the night spent in a bark hut.

They had a torch and matches with them and were able to light a fire.