Rescue team find trampers who went missing in Ruahine Ranges

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A group of trampers who went missing in the Ruahine Range yesterday have been found safe and well.

A Land Search and Rescue team located the group shortly before noon today by the Puriri Stream, Ngamoko Range.

The stranded hikers activated their emergency locator beacon yesterday morning.

The group of five, aged between 30-63, are believed to be experienced trampers from the New Plymouth Tramping Club.

Both the trampers and the search team would be winched out as the terrain was too difficult for vehicles to enter, police said.

"The weather conditions are not great at the moment but we aim to winch them out as soon as it is safe to do so,'' search co-ordinator Sergeant Bill Nicholson said.

"Initial observations suggest the trampers are all ok, but they will be seen by medical professionals once they are winched out.''

Earlier Mr Nicholson said high winds and rain had "made the search difficult''.