Emergency beacon broadcasting from rubbish dump

A surprise discovery has been made at a Lower Hutt rubbish dump.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter says planes flying in and out of Wellington detected a signal from an emergency locator beacon and the service was asked to track it down.

Crew member Dave Greenberg says the signal was traced to the Wainuiomata tip and the Lower Hutt City Council will now get a digger to the site.

He says each shovelful of rubbish will have to be checked using a handheld radio until the beacon is found.

Mr Greenberg says people should dispose of old beacons more carefully, by taking out the battery.

- NEWSTALK ZB