A grandmother and her granddaughter, who went for a bush walk with their four dogs on Sunday afternoon, were rescued late at night. They started their walk around 4.30pm at the base of the Mangamukas. However, after about three hours, they realized they were lost and it was getting dark.
This incident serves as a warning for anyone planning to explore New Zealand’s countryside this fall. Whangārei Police Search and Rescue received a distress call around 7.40pm. Constable Sam Davidson said the women were lightly dressed and had no food or water. The granddaughter had a mobile phone with only 10% battery and no data.
A team of seven from Far North Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) was dispatched around 8.30pm. They reached the women’s last known location near Abraham Road by 9.20pm. After an hour of voice contact, the team was able to guide the pair out by 11.35pm. They had a few minor cuts and bruises, but were otherwise safe.
Davidson stressed the importance of being prepared for unexpected situations and having navigation tools, even if it’s just data on your phone. He also highlighted the crucial role of the LandSAR team, praising their training, efficiency, and expertise.
