Lost trampers guided to safety by helicopter light

Police and a rescue helicopter were called in to guide two lost trampers out of rugged bush after it proved too dangerous to winch the pair to safety.

A Square Trust rescue helicopter spokesman said two Japanese students called police on a cellphone at 5pm yesterday to report themselves lost and disoriented in the Wharite Peak area, at Woodville, Tararua.

The helicopter attended with a police search and rescue team, only to find it was impossible to airlift the lost students, who were trapped on a steep ridge in high winds.

Instead, a ground party was dropped off at the top of the ridge, to assist the pair in walking out.

Four hours later, the helicopter returned to the scene, the pilot using "night sun" vision to guide police and the missing trampers out of the dark bush, where they were met by a waiting farmer with a ute.

Everybody arrived safely, despite being wet and cold from their ordeal, the spokesman said.

- NZPA