On Boxing Day 2021, experienced trail runner and dairy farmer Aaron set out solo for a mountain mission across the Kaikōura Ranges. After summiting Mt Manakau in 35-degree heat, he opted to cut the route short, choosing what looked like a safe ridge descent.
Halfway down, the scree turned to rock and loose gravel. He slipped 30 metres before stopping on a narrow ledge, trapped above a 400-metre drop.
With no safe way out, Aaron tried to get a signal on his phone to call 111 or to text family. Nothing was working.
“That’s when my heart sank.”
Luckily, Aaron had bought a personal locator beacon (PLB) just days earlier, specifically for this run. He activated it, put on his thermals against the dropping temperature, and waited. Ninety minutes later, the sound of a rescue chopper filled the air.
“I was beside myself and quite emotional knowing they were here for me.”
With incredible precision, the rescue team winched him from the cliff.
“Critical Care Paramedic Kath had about 20 or 30 seconds to get the harness under my arms, through my legs and get me secure before we were lifted off.”
The space was incredibly tight in that spot and pilot Dan and crewperson Cory, had to keep the winch tension perfect and place Kath exactly right. One wrong move and they both could’ve gone over the edge.
Aaron now urges others never to head into the backcountry without the right gear, especially a Personal Locator Beacon.
Read the full story at www.airrescue.co.nz/stories/saved-by-a-plb