Search for skier successful

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 543, 5 July 1994, Page 1

Search for skier successful

A 21 -year old Palmerston North man lost on the southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu overnight Thursday was found cold and with minor frostbite to his extremities, but ^ otherwise unhurt, by searchers on Friday. Student Matthew Wynyard spent a night sheltering in bush in bitterly cold - conditions, just below the Mangaturuturu Hut on the slopes of Mt Ti Ruapehu, afterbecomingdisorientatedin white-outconditions while > {K — skiing at Turoa Ski Resort on Thursdav.

Members of the missing man's party alerted Turoa' s ski patrol when he failed to return to his vehicle in the Turoa carpark at 4pm. Eighteen searchers including Waimarino Police, the Department of Conservation and

Turn to Page 2 .

Successful skier search

FROMPAGEl volunteers from the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation (RARO), started a search for Mr Wynyard on Thursday evening. Ohakune Police Sergeant Bob Evans said searchers held grave fears for the missing skier, with bitterly cold conditions and strong winds hampering searchers' efforts. Mr Wynyard's tracks were discovered by Turoa Ski Patrol staff leading down into the Mangaturuturu Valley and followed into the bush. Sgt Evans said it appeared he had by-passed the Mangaturuturu Hut by just metres but had made the right decision by taking shelter in the bush. Although Mr Wynyard was equipped for skiing, he was not well set up for a night in the open, he said. The search continued by air with a helicopter equipped with infra-red devices. Shortly after 1am, ground searchers took

shelter in the Mangaturuturu Hut for the night, while police officials organised an Army Iriquois helicopter from Waiouru to resume the search at daybreak. Mr Wynyard was located in the vicinity shortly after 8am. Sgt Evans praised Mr Wynyard's presence of mind while on the skifield and later when he took shelter in the bush. He said however, that his condition may have been more comfortable if he had been equipped with a survival blanket. The pocket-sized piece of equipment is available from outdoors centres and should be an essential piece of equipment for anyone visiting the mountain, he said. A homemade survival kit containing such essentials as a whistle, cigarette lighter and some form of sustenance (such as chocolate or scroggin) are also essentials for anyone intending to spend time in an alpine environment.