Tramper miscarries in mountain hut

Rescuers hope to get to a seriously ill woman who has miscarried in a mountain hut in the Waikato. Photo/ NZ Herald

Rescuers have this morning evacuated a seriously ill woman who miscarried in a King Country mountainside hut.

Waikato Police Search and Rescue Coordinator, Constable Dave Pitchford, said a break in the weather had allowed the woman to be winched from Arches Hut on the Pomarangai Track, where she spent the night.

About 7.30pm yesterday police were advised the woman, who was 12-weeks pregnant, had suffered a miscarriage and lost a lot of blood.

Mr Pitchford said a paramedic, two Department of Conservation workers and a Search and Rescue member were sent to the hut to stabilise the woman.

Efforts to winch the woman up to a helicopter had been hindered by poor weather, he said.

"We're very grateful for the break in the weather and the ability of the crew to get the woman out given the only other alternative would have been to carry her out by stretcher which would have been a trial not only for the patient but the SAR crews as well."

Last night was a busy one for Waikato police and Search and Rescue, after a Zimbabwean man was found this morning after a night in Waitomo bush.

"The man was reported missing from a Troopers Rd property shortly after 12.20am and an initial Search and Rescue team went into the area to look for him."

The 25-year-old man, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was found just after 7am.
Earlier, an elderly woman who had gone missing in Hamilton was also found by police.

- Herald Online staff