14 June 2010
Inclement weather meant a man believed to have suffered a minor heart-attack had to spend an uncomfortable two nights on Mt Pirongia waiting medical evacuation.
Waikato Police Search and Rescue Coordinator, Constable Dave Pitchford, said four men had been climbing the mountain on Friday night, heading towards a hut.
"During the climb one of their party, a man aged in his forties, has complained of chest pains and as his condition worsened his colleagues became concerned for his well being.
"The group phone 111 and raised the alarm with ambulance staff who directed the group to make their way to a clearing with the intention of getting a helicopter up there to lift him out but unfortunately the weather closed in and the chopper was unable to get to the group."
Mr Pitchford said the group bivied up for the night and in the morning continued up to the hut, a further attempt to get to the man was unsuccessful and in the afternoon a paramedic and search and rescue member made their way up to the hut and stabilised the man.
"About 40 SAR personnel were by then on standby to go in and carry out a stretcher borne evacuation, the large number of people was required due to the difficult terrain.
"Fortunately for all concerned, about 7am Sunday a break in the weather allowed the helicopter to get through and the man was taken off the mountain and transferred to Waikato Hospital."
Mr Pitchford said the events over the weekend were a good example of why people shouldn't go into the bush alone and the importance of being well prepared.
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