Search officer left red faced after own rescue

An Air Force Iroquois helicopter. Photo / Tim Cuff.

A Palmerston North search and rescue leader says he is embarrassed he had to be rescued during the weekend.

Sergeant Andy Brooke, 50, the officer-in-charge of Palmerston North search and rescue, was reported overdue about 9pm on Friday after going tramping in rugged terrain at Otaki Forks, about 20km from Otaki, on Thursday.

Mr Brooke and his jack russell dog, Yetti, were found and winched to safety by air force helicopter shortly before 4pm the next day, after rescuers pinpointed a signal from his "Spot-Me" device and personal locator beacon.

He had been setting up a search and rescue exercise scheduled for next weekend when he was reported overdue.

Mr Brooke told the Manawatu Standard it was "very embarrassing" to be the one being rescued and expected to get "a bit of grief" about it at work.

He said he was well prepared and had enough food to last him another two days.

Palmerston North rural area commander Brett Calkin said it was "incredibly fortunate" the signal was received. "It could have been a very different outcome if he was not able to make contact with us," he said.

"It demonstrates that even when someone is well-equipped, with the best technology available, and is highly experienced, there are significant risks attached to tramping."

- NZPA