Holly’s PLB wilderness rescue started when she and Mal, from London, joined Isy from Hawke’s Bay on a 3-day hike across Kawakawa Station in the Southern Wairarapa, a luxury walk with excellent food and lodgings.

Day 1 covered 11km from sea level up to 616 meters along farm tracks. Day 2 was a 9km walk on narrower tracks through regenerated and virgin bush, descending steadily towards the river to our third-night lodgings.

Walking through Pam’s Path, a narrow track with loose stones, Holly stepped over a large rock, causing her left foot to slip sideways down the slope. Hearing a crack and feeling pain immediately, she knew her ankle was in trouble.

With no way for Mal and Isy to assist her on the narrow path, and Holly unable to put any weight on her injured foot, we utilized walkie-talkie contact with Rebecca, our host at Kawakawa Station. Rebecca phoned 111, and upon advice, we set off our ResQLink 400 PLB as we were in a location requiring a helicopter rescue.

With some trepidation, we complied and made Holly as comfortable as possible while we waited. Another message came in on the walkie-talkie, instructing us to shake a tree and any bright-colored cloth to help the helicopter identify our location precisely.

Soon, the helicopter arrived, and paramedic James was winched down. He promptly prepared Holly to be winched up with him into the helicopter. The entire process proceeded smoothly and professionally.

Holly was taken to Masterton Hospital, where X-rays confirmed she had broken her fibula bone near her ankle.

The decision to call for help via our walkie-talkie and PLB ensured Holly’s swift rescue and necessary medical treatment. The speed with which the helicopter and rescue team reached them in the dense forest was thanks to our PLB and Mal’s resourcefulness in shaking the tree.

Our grateful thanks to Westpac Rescue Wellington, Kawakawa Station & our ResQLink for the coordinated PLB wilderness rescue.