Woman survives two hours in fast-moving river

A tramper spent two hours clinging to her pack as she was washed downstream in a Marlborough River.

Nelson tramper Jill Parker, 56, and a woman friend were swept away as they attempted to cross the swollen Captain's Creek in the Pelorus River yesterday morning.

The river was moving quickly, and high after recent rains.

Two other trampers came to the women's aid, but were unable to reach Ms Parker who with her pack on her back was borne away by the flooded river, about 11.15am.

Ms Parker said last night after she made it to safety that she thought she was going to die.

"I didn't expect to be able to get out of the river, but once I did I was determined I was going to stay out and carry on," Ms Parker told the Press after her escape.

She said she floated with the river, holding on to her pack as she had been told to do by fellow trampers.

At one stage she clung to the bank and rock face for about half an hour trying to get a hold.

The bush she was holding on to gave way and the river took her away again.

About 1pm she was washed into the bank and managed to scramble up to a ledge.

She put on some dry clothes from her pack, wrapped herself in a survival blanket, and waited about two hours to be rescued, before setting off on foot.

Overhead, search and rescue teams in helicopters had been scouring the area for her.

Police southern communications centre shift manager Paul Visser said Ms Parker had reached the same house the man sent to call for help had reached, about 7.30pm.

"So a huge sigh of relief for us, we just couldn't believe it," he said.

- NZPA