Air Force Crew Winches Wellington Tramper and Dog to Safety from Freezing Tararua Range

In a dramatic overnight rescue, experienced Wellington tramper David Graham and his loyal Kelpie, Winnie, were winched to safety from freezing conditions in the Tararua Ranges by New Zealand Air Force personnel. The incident took place on Tuesday, highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness and the swift response of rescue teams in challenging terrain.

Graham and Winnie were on the second night of a tramp heading towards the Mid King Bivvy in the Wairarapa region when thick cloud cover descended, reducing visibility to less than 20 meters. This made the already difficult track nearly impossible to follow. Desperate to find shelter, the pair took refuge under a large rock, which was adorned with icicles.

By 9 p.m., the cloud had lifted, but the dew that followed froze Graham’s sleeping bag, signaling the need for immediate assistance. Graham activated his personal locator beacon and contacted emergency services. A Land Search and Rescue crew was initially dispatched to assist him the following day, but due to worsening conditions and his growing concern, he reached out to police again around 2 a.m. on Tuesday.

By 4 a.m., an NH90 helicopter, operated by the New Zealand Air Force, was en route to the Tararua Range. Graham described the moment he heard the helicopter approaching at approximately 4:30 a.m. as both a relief and a miracle. The rescue team was led by Squadron Leader Andrew Stewart from the No 3 Squadron, who noted that temperatures had dropped to 0.5°C, adding to the difficulty of the mission in steep and rugged terrain.

The rescue operation was conducted by medic Corporal Sam Wardhaugh, who had just completed his qualification for search and rescue missions. The team executed two winching missions, prioritizing Winnie’s safety first by placing her in a specially designed dog bag. Graham was then winched to safety and immediately given a warm meal and a hot chocolate, which he described as the best of his life.

Upon landing at Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome, Graham was assessed by medics who noted the early signs of hypothermia affecting his feet. Despite this, he expressed deep gratitude for the swift and professional assistance provided by the Air Force crew and the police. Graham emphasized the complexity of coordinating such a rescue at such an early hour and praised the expertise and thoughtfulness of everyone involved.

This incident underscores the critical role of emergency services in ensuring safety in remote and challenging environments. The New Zealand Air Force continues to prove its capability in executing complex rescues, often under adverse weather conditions, to save lives and return individuals to safety.