Hunt on for Wairarapa bush heroes

LAID UP: Jean James is grateful to three volunteer firemen, out on a training run, who helped carry her down a walking track in the Tararuas after she fell in a hole and broke her ankle. PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

Good Samaritan volunteer firefighters on a training run have been described as "stars" for rescuing an injured elderly woman after a tramping accident.

The men, whose identities are unknown, came to the aid of Jean James after she broke her ankle tramping in the Tararuas on New Year's Day.

Ms James, a 78-year-old Masterton woman, was walking down the track at Mikimiki, north of Masterton, with companion Doug Jones when she lost her balance and fell.

"I put my foot into a hole, toppled over and fell heavily. I think my leg was trapped under me," she said.

Mr Jones managed to help her up and they struggled down the track a short way when three volunteer firefighters appeared.

"They are my stars, they came at just the right time for me. If they hadn't come it would have been much more complicated," said Ms James.

"We were wondering what to do and then by chance after about 10 minutes, firemen on a training run were coming down the same way," she said.

"They took one look and then bandaged up the foot with their first aid kit and carried me out," said Ms James.

The firemen took turns carrying her and reached the car park after about half an hour.

Mr Jones described the half-hour journey out of the bush as "a struggle".

"We were just very fortunate. We heard their voices above us. It was going to be a huge struggle to get out. We couldn't have done it," he said.

"Even for those three strong guys it was difficult. They took turns two at a time actually lifting and carrying her in relays every few minutes," he said.

After arriving at the car park they went straight to the emergency department at Wairarapa Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a broken ankle, put in plaster and later discharged.

Despite an intensive search, including contacting local fire stations, the identity of the rescuers remains unknown.

The pair is extremely grateful to their rescuers and to the staff at Wairarapa Hospital.

"I wanted to acknowledge that it was just great. The whole thing was just amazing," Ms James said.