New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards
The 2021 New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards were presented this evening in recognition of outstanding achievements within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Region.
“This type of selfless dedication is typical of the commitment shown by Land Search and Rescue volunteers and New Zealand Police SAR squads across the country. The entire organisation is very proud to receive this Gold Award, along with the other awards received tonight’’- *Carl McOnie, Chief Executive, Land Search and Rescue
Gold Award – Operational – for the rescue of a tramper near Mungo Pass on 23-27 February 2021
NB, this is awarded for a very significant contribution to Search and Rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region during 2021:
South Westland – Land Search and Rescue
Hokitika – Land Search and Rescue
Methven – Land Search and Rescue
West Coast Police Search and Rescue Squad
Christchurch Police Search and Rescue Squad
Aoraki/Mt Cook Alpine Rescue Team
The Helicopter Line – Mt Cook
Precision Helicopters
GCH Aviation Rescue Helicopter
*23 February 2021, Police were informed a tramper crossing the Main Divide had missed his planned pickup. He wasn’t carrying a Personal Locator Beacon, Police Search and Rescue assessed that he was experienced, fit and well-prepared for his intended route, so held off commencing a search. When the tramper still hadn’t emerged on 26 February, an initial search of his planned route was conducted via helicopter – nothing was found.
A full-scale multi-agency search was launched on 27 February, which, due to the scale of the terrain, two simultaneous Search Operations were carried out by local helicopter operators and search teams on either side of the Main Divide.
Land Search and Rescue teams deployed by helicopter and were tasked to search huts and routes that the tramper may have taken. Other Land Search and Rescue teams, deployed in 4WD vehicles, and were tasked to cover the braided valleys within the Canterbury search area. The very steep upper reaches of the Gibson Valley, near Mungo Pass, required specialist alpine capabilities. The Helicopter Line – Mount Cook and the Department of Conservation Aoraki/Mount Cook Alpine Rescue Team were deployed for this task. With deteriorating weather and limited fuel remaining, they spotted the tramper and recovered him to Unknown Hut using a long line. The tramper was treated for significant injuries and hypothermia – the result of a 100-metre fall six days earlier.
Land Search and Rescue also received a Gold Award – Support:
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:
Alan Doy – for his commitment to Search and Rescue and Taranaki Land Search and Rescue.
During more than 30 years’ service to Taranaki Land Search and Rescue, Alan Doy has performed a range of operational and support duties to an exceptionally high level.
From his first search in 1989, his natural aptitude meant he quickly became a field team leader. His experience grew over many operations and exercises and his contribution eventually shifted to Incident Management Team roles.
Alan’s background as a surveyor complemented his search and rescue experience. With a near-photographic memory of the Taranaki backcountry, he was able to provide key local knowledge, enabling efficient deployment of search and rescue resources.
Likewise, his professional skills in Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) facilitated the recording and presentation of complex data during searches and when developing readiness plans.
His expertise is also recognised beyond the Taranaki region. Alan has been invited on several occasions to provide GIS support for other complicated operations, such as the 2006 Erceg Helicopter search. He was also asked to provide expert advice for the high-profile 2021 search for a father and his three children who disappeared near Marokopa in the Waitomo district.
Alan has made a significant contribution to the governance of Taranaki LandSAR, with 17 years on the committee and four years as Chairperson.
Alan is highly respected within the Taranaki SAR community, as a humble yet exceptionally valuable member of any operation, exercise, or training activity.
Certificates of Achievement – Operational Activity
Christchurch Land Search and Rescue Alpine Cliff Rescue Team
For the rescue of two climbers from Kaimatau/Mount Rolleston on 22-23 October 2021.
Christchurch Police Search and Rescue Squad
GCH Aviation Greymouth Rescue Helicopter
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand
*Approx., 8.45pm on 22 October 2021, two cold and exhausted climbers phoned their emergency contact for rescue from the summit. At the same time, they activated their Personal Locator Beacon, which alerted the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand.
Greymouth Rescue Helicopter was tasked, however the intermittent cloud cover meant that even with the aid of night vision goggles, they were unable to reach the stricken climbers, or drop equipment to them. The Christchurch Alpine Cliff Rescue (ACR) Team was tasked at 1.30am, arriving in Arthur’s Pass before dawn, with the Christchurch Police SAR Squad. They took off in the Greymouth Rescue Helicopter around 6.30am and began a reconnaissance of the conditions on the mountain. Unable to access the climbers due to cloud, rain and strong winds, the helicopter crew performed an extremely challenging 20-metre winch to deploy the rescue team to the nearby Crow Glacier. In dangerous climbing conditions and considerable avalanche hazard, the ACR Team carefully ascended the 2,275m summit, where they found the climbers soaking wet and hypothermic after a night in an improvised snow shelter. The ACR Team lowered the climbers to the glacier in a whiteout, before a small break in the weather allowed the helicopter to extract the climbers by winch. Faced with a forecast of five more days of stormy weather, and the likelihood that the helicopter would be unable to retrieve them, the team prepared to begin the hazardous journey to traverse the summit and egress via the Rome Ridge. Fortunately, another small break in the weather allowed the helicopter to make a challenging hover load, aided by the ACR Team creating a visual reference using leftover coffee grounds. The climbers and rescuers were flown to Arthur’s Pass for debriefing.
Certificate of Achievement – for the rescue of a man from Mount Parihaka on 8-11 July 2021
Northland Land Search and Rescue
Far North Land Search and Rescue
Whangārei Police Search and Rescue Squad
Whangārei Coastguard
Ruakākā Surf Life Saving Club
Skywork Helicopters
Whangārei Fire Brigade
On 8 July 2021, Police were notified that a man with dementia had left his home in Whangārei sometime the previous evening and had not returned.
Weather conditions were poor, with widespread rain and cold temperatures. Over the next four days, more than 120 people from Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving, Police and members of the public searched for the missing man, with support from Skywork Helicopters and the Whangārei Fire Brigade.
The Incident Management Team provided outstanding coordination and tasking of the many search teams. Each were able to bring a wealth of experience and specialist skills to the operation, which was conducted in coastal, urban, and bush environments.
On the fourth day of the search, following clues from CCTV footage of the area, teams were re-deployed to search the bush, creeks and tracks surrounding the Parihaka monument. The terrain in the area is extremely difficult, with numerous waterfalls, steep bush, windfalls, and slips.
The man was located by a search team in a creek bed, having sustained significant injuries from a fall, and was hypothermic from exposure to the elements. He went into cardiac arrest shortly after being found. Despite the search team members conducting CPR for an extended period until further assistance arrived, the man sadly died at the scene.
Through a coordinated effort, all involved contributed to the return of the man to his family.