I was with a tramping party traversing the Peel Range in the Kahurangi National Park, in New Zealand’s South Island in February 2025. We were negotiating a moderately steep sidle north-west of Mount Peel when I slipped and twisted my right knee. The initial pain subsided fairly quickly. Even after resting for half an hour, it was clear that I still couldn’t put any meaningful weight on my right leg. The terrain was such that we felt it was not safe me to continue, and I activated my ResQLink.

The helicopter from the Nelson Marlborough Helicopter Rescue Service located us within an hour. The crew assessed the situation we were in on the side of the ridge. They departed and dropped off a stretcher and other equipment down in the Cobb Valley. The helicopter then returned, a Paramedic was winched down and an assessment was carried out on my injured knee. The crew then decided that I was unable to continue. They winched up my pack, followed by me and the Paramedic, and the helicopter returned to the Cobb Valley. Once there, the team carried out a further assessment of my knee, transferred me to the stretcher, and transported me to Nelson Hospital for a fuller evaluation.

The professionalism of the rescue crew was amazing. The paramedic reassured me as they examined my knee. They clearly explained the process of being winched up to the helicopter, and the entire operation proceeded smoothly and efficiently.