N.Z. Tourists need for search and rescue rising

[Wayne Harrison]

An increasing number of tourists getting into difficulty in the bush is a growing concern for New Zealand's land-based Search and Rescue organisation.

The police-partner organisation released its annual report today which showed that 1824 volunteers were involved in 224 searches.

Deputy chairman of Search and Rescue's land-based operation, John Scobie, said most of the operations had successful outcomes, with one of the most complex ones being the rescue last month of caver Michael Brewer.

Dr Brewer fell and broke his pelvis while caving 400m underground near Takaka and was painstakingly lifted out in a mission involving nearly 100 rescuers over 29 hours.

Scobie said 17 per cent of the operations during the year involved tourists.

<a href="http://www.tntmagazine.com/news/default.asp?ID=news&feature=3672">via TNT Magazine</a>