A mass rescue operation involving at least 110 people competing in an ultra-marathon event took place on Wednesday morning, as heavy rain caused the Arrow River to rise.
Video / James Allan
Organisers of a South Island ultra-marathon have confirmed all their athletes are “safe and well” after a mass rescue operation near Arrowtown early this morning.
The operation involved at least 110 people competing in the Southern Lakes Ultra after heavy overnight rain caused the Arrow River to rise.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre said it was first alerted to a developing situation following a beacon activation in Macetown, near Arrowtown at 1am.
There were nine further personal locator beacons by the early afternoon.
Operations manager Michael Clulow said seven race participants and one official had been flown to Queenstown Lakes Hospital and were suffering from mild hypothermia.
Operations manager Michael Clulow said six people had been flown to Queenstown Lakes Hospital. Photo / James Allan
Clulow said communication was established with the race management and RCCNZ was focused on finding out where people were, and what their support needs were.
In a statement from Southern Lakes shortly before 1.45pm, it was announced all athletes and crew involved in the tournament had been accounted for and they were safe and well.
“All athletes who were evacuated and taken to hospital have now been discharged and are doing well,” the statement read.
It’s unclear at this stage whether the race will continue. Organisers will release further information and updates on the competition once made available.
Clulow called the rescue effort “a collaborative response”, which included New Zealand Police, Search and Rescue, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and Queenstown rescue helicopters.
“We want to thank the staff on the ground who supported this rescue effort,” he said.
The Southern Lakes Ultra started on Sunday, February 19 and is a seven-day, six-stage race through the Southern Lakes in Central Otago.
“I am in great communication with multiple organisations and agencies and at this stage, all athletes are safe, well and accounted for. Rescue Operations NZ are sending individuals into Macetown to organise a plan,” Sutton said.
“Some runners have been evacuated out of the mountains and they are being cared for by crew and staff at Queenstown Lakes Hospital,” Sutton said.
In a statement on the race’s Facebook page, co-ordinator Emily Sutton said all runners were accounted for and are safe. Photo / James Allan
Clulow said this was a complex response, and the centre was working closely with search and rescue partners and the race organisers to understand the needs of the people in the area.
Two trampers hiking the Macetown Trail were tenting down near the region’s checkpoint. First thing this morning, they spotted two helicopters going deep into the valley and picking people up.
“It looked quite serious,” said Robin, one of the trampers.
“The conditions are terrible - you wouldn’t be able to walk the rivers this morning, [the water is] now up to our knees, whereas yesterday it was just at our ankles.”
The trampers from Matamata, Waikato, said they were very lucky to be out of the valley, otherwise they would have been stuck in their tents.
All runners were accounted for and are safe, organisers say. Photo / James Allan
“I’d say hypothermia in all that rain would have been absolutely terrible.”
The rescue centre said there has been heavy rain in the area causing the Arrow River to rise, and the weather was forecast to remain inclement over the next 24 hours.
MetService this morning issued a heavy rain watch for Otago with a period of rain from 8am until 11am. It said some heavy falls were possible.
In the alert, it said rainfall amounts might approach warning criteria, especially in the east, where the threshold for heavy rain was lower.
Macetown, located just north of Arrowtown, is an abandoned gold-mining town isolated from any nearby townships. It can only be accessed by 4WD vehicles.
Vehicles will travel across the Arrow River. There is a Department of Conservation campsite and some tourism companies do river crossings and adventure races through the area.
Nearby businesses have told the Herald it rained heavily overnight, although little was known about the rescue.
A helicopter spotted in Macetown, near Arrowtown, during the mass rescue. Photo / James Allan
Nomad Safaris run regular 4WD tours through Macetown.
To reach it, one must cross the Arrow River two dozen times. The safari company suspended its tours over the past couple of months because of the recent dry and dusty conditions.
Amanda Gatward-Ferguson, one of the owners, said the Arrow River could rise “really quickly” without warning, and that was common when rainfall was experienced at the levels of last night.
”There’s a measuring point on the river. When it gets to a certain point, we don’t [operate],” she said.
The river isn’t navigatable by boat, according to Gatward-Ferguson, which leaves helicopters as the only remaining option to reach people.
Statement from race co-ordinator
Good Morning Everyone,
I would like to let you all know that due to weather conditions there is currently a rescue operation underway for participants and crew involved in Southern Lakes Ultra.
I am in great communication with multiple organisations and agencies and at this stage all athletes are safe, well and accounted for. Rescue operations NZ are sending individuals into Macetown to organise a plan.
Some runners have been evacuated out of the mountains and they are being cared for by crew and staff at Queenstown Lakes Hospital. These athletes are being well supported and are currently under observation.
If there is any concern individual families will be notified by me directly. As you will all understand this is a very stressful time so please hold off messaging directly.
I will continue to provide communication with you all where possible and I can ensure you that I am doing my absolute best to ensure the health, safety and well-being of these athletes remains our top priority.
