I was fly fishing with a friend on the Ngaruroro River located high in the Kaiweka Ranges in NZ. We had crossed the river a few times but got bluffed, which meant a climb up a steep cliff where I got my leg trapped between two tree roots, fell over and banged my head and at the time thought I’d dislocated my knee.

My friend helped me to a clearing and agreed it was too risky to go back to camp which was a way upstream. We both agreed to activate my ACR ResQLink.  We lit a fire to dry and warm up, and waited for a rescue helicopter which arrived in about 40 minutes, I was advised that they were a bit late in arriving because all helicopter services in the area were busy.  I was also advised that the ACR ResQLink beacon worked as it should with no issues. I was flown to helicopter’s company to wait for an ambulance to take me to Taupo hospital.  I’m now waiting to see a knee specialist.

I recommend that anyone that’s into hiking, fishing, hunting, away from mobile phone coverage should always carry a personal locating beacon. With a doubt my ACR locator saved me from further injuries and stress.