15/03/2026
We were called to the Old Ghost Road track late in the afternoon Friday to support someone off the track some 9+km from Lyell. Chopper was not able to get in due to the weather. We deployed a hastie team to run down from the Lyell Saddle some 9km above the patient. The hastie team deployed the bothy and supported and assisted our patient and her friend until the steady stream of stretcher team members arrived from the Lyell end. The desent to the carpark was 9km of stretchering.... even with a uni wheel this is no simple task in the dark over rough terrain with steep drop offs to one side. Thankfully the team from Murchison answered our call. Meeting the descending Reefton Squad approx 4.5 km up and provided much needed respite and morale boosting. Some 7 hrs after initial deployment- The Squad reached the end of the track and waiting ambulance but not before they navigated the long swing bridge, steep steps and notorious squeeze gates just before the end. These slick maneuvers have been honed on previous callouts here.
While the others were making their way down our coms and logistics team were linking teams with police, helping retrieve the vehicle from Seddonville for the patients friends and procurring some much appreciated sustainance from the local pizzeria pizzaria & had them ready and waiting to refresh the tired and somewhat soggy team.
Thank you everyone for your time commitment and expertise. Aroha ki to mahi love your work
