Rescuers are standing by waitng for a break in the weather to get a helicopter in to rescue a woman lying ill on the Rudolph Glacier in the Mt Cook National Park. Police staff say the weather there is marginal and deteriorating
Constable Greg SUTHERLAND from Twizel Police says that the woman is believed to be an experienced ski tourer and climber. Her three male companions are
also experienced. The two who went for help are sheltering in the De La Beche Hut.
"The weather is still deteriorating so we've stood down until midday. If there is a window in the weather we hope to be able to fly in to the De La Beche Hut, a 15 minute flight, with at least several hours walk in from there. If we can we'd really like to be able to fly right in to where the woman is," he says.
The rescue team will try to get a helicopter at least into a staging area at the foot of the glacier to allow rescuers to walk or fly up from there. The rescue team, comprisng local DOC staff and Alpine guides are preparing to go in as close as possible as soon as the weather lifts. All rescuers are experts in this terraine.
At 2.00pm yesterday afternoon the 36 year old woman become unwell while descending the Rudolf Glacier in the Mt Cook National Park with party.
A member of the party remained with her on the Glacier while her other two other companions descended to De La Beche Hut to raise the alarm via radio at 1800 hours.
A Search and Rescue Mission was attempted late yesterday with a rescue team flying into the area. The weather was poor with high winds and low cloud.
Attempts to rescue the pair were unsuccessful.
It is believed the woman may be suffering from hypothermia and grave concerns are held for her well being. The pair are believed to be at 2200 metres.