Imagine being 80 years old, lost deep in the challenging Coromandel bush, out of water, and collapsing on a remote trail. That’s the terrifying reality an elderly man faced recently near Crosbies Hut, sparking a dramatic 12-hour rescue mission that showcased incredible bravery and teamwork.
The ordeal began when the man, hiking without emergency supplies and dressed only in shorts and a singlet, became disoriented. After calling his family, his son raised the alarm. Police located him about 100m from Crosbies Hut, but deteriorating weather prevented a helicopter landing. This is where the story takes an extraordinary turn: a mother and her two children, staying at the hut, were contacted. They hiked out to find the man and formed a “human heat circle” to keep him warm and alive through the night before bringing him back to the hut.
As dawn broke, dedicated search and rescue teams from Waihī LandSAR, Thames SAR, and Police SAR launched their relentless effort. Facing dense, steep, and slippery terrain in the wet weather, they navigated treacherous slopes using rope systems. They met the initial team slowly walking the man out, then carefully loaded him “taco style” onto a stretcher, protecting him from the rain.
Five hours later, a break in the weather allowed the Auckland Westpac Helicopter to finally winch the man to safety from a clearing. The rescue crews, still an hour and a half from their carpark, arrived back just before dark, exhausted but triumphant. This powerful story highlights the incredible spirit of community, the dedication of our rescue services, and the silent courage of an 80-year-old who endured harsh conditions. These truly are our everyday heroes, working together to bring the lost home.
