406 Mhz Beacon Saves Life

An injured tramper was today rescued from rugged terrain within 90 minutes thanks to carrying a GPS-equipped 406 Megahertz emergency locator beacon.

The female tramper suffered a hip injury while on a group tramp near Shute’s Hut on the Gentle Annie track, about 60km east of Napier.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) initiated a search and rescue operation to recover the woman, after receiving an alert from her beacon at around 11.30am. Thanks to the 406MHz beacon being an advanced model fitted with GPS technology, rescuers were able to confirm her position immediately to within about 20 square metres – compared with a much larger search area if she had been carrying a more basic type of beacon.

The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter from Hastings then picked up the hurt woman and took her to Hastings Hospital, where she was treated around 1pm.

RCCNZ Search and Rescue Officer Tracy Brickles said the fact the group had also advised others of their intended route and stuck to it had greatly assisted rescuers.

“Thanks to having this important information, combined with the accurate GPS positional data provided by the emergency beacon, we were able to get a helicopter to the injured woman very quickly. This meant that she was safely recovered and receiving hospital treatment within 90 minutes of activating her beacon. Who knows what might have happened or how long it may have taken to get help had she not been carrying one.”

For further information contact:
RCCNZ Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318