Beacon saviour for snow blind trampers

A tramper who woke to find she couldn't see was rescued yesterday thanks to a locator beacon.

The 22-year-old Dunedin student and her Auckland-based parents were on the Dusky Track in Fiordland when she started suffering from snow blindness. Her father was also affected by the condition, but to a lesser extent.

Rescuers reached their hut about 3 1/2 hours after the family activated their personal locator beacon. They were later transported by helicopter to the Te Anau Medical Centre.

Constable Finn Murphy of Te Anau said the speed of the rescue was testament to the value of carrying a beacon - help was at least two days' walk away and the track was not a busy one.

The family were possibly affected by an unexpected snowfall.

Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman Dave Wilson said the family would have had no other way of summoning help, as there was no cellphone coverage.

- NZPA