Trampers airlifted

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 3

Trampers airlifted

By

GLENIS CARROLL

Two trampers were airlifted out of the Arthur’s Pass National Park yesterday after spending two days injured in torrential rain. The men, Stuan Ashby, of Darfield, and Stephen Gore, of West Melton, both aged 19, fell while they were crossing Campbell Pass from Hunts Creek. They suffered bad cuts, grazes and bruising. The pair spent two nights in the open while making their way to the Carrington Hut at the head of the Waimakariri Valley, during which time 248 mm of rain fell. The senior conservation

officer at the park, Mr Peter Simpson, said the men were experienced and well equipped but conditions were “very rough.” “That’s a lot of water in a fairly short time even if you are in a tent,” he said. The men reached the Carrington Hut at 2.30 p.m. yesterday and used the national park emergency radio to call for help.

Neither man felt he could walk any further and a R.N.Z.A.F. helicopter was called to airlift them out.

“They had run out of steam and were pleased

to be out of it,” said Mr Simpson.

The men were out of food and were very wet, he said.

The helicopter picked up the men about 4 p.m. They were taken to Christchurch Hospital but were later discharged.

State Highway 73 through Arthur’s Pass was reopened yesterday morning but the heavy rain has reduced the road to a single lane in places. Motorists were urged by the Automobile Association (Canterbury) to take extreme care when driving in the area as there had been rock slips.