News and events from 2003, 2004 and 2005
17/12/05 Fat fire threatens hotel
A vat of cooking fat ignited in the kitchen of the Bealey Hotel mid evening and staff called emergency services before
managing to extinguish the fire themselves. An APRFF crew responded but were fortunately not required due to the sterling effort put in by hotel staff.
29/11/05 Assault with an axe requires careful response
Arthur's Pass Police, Arthur's Pass members of Malvern St John and APRFF responded to a serious assault at Bealey Spur. The man believed
to have undertaken the assault was thought to have fled the scene, but as a precaution local St John volunteers followed Police to the scene and were backed up by APRFF. The person injured during the assault
was treated at the scene and taken by Arthur's Pass police to meet an ambulance arriving from Malvern St John.
11/05 Fire near western portal of Otira Railway Tunnel
APRFF and staff from Ferguson Brothers and Toll Rail responded to a vegetation fire alongside the Midland Railway near Otira Township. The small fire, mostly in green broom and grass, was burning slowly and was extinguished easily.
11/05 Cars torched
In 2 separate incidents, cars have been set alight adjacent to State Highway 73 West of Otira.
10/05 New Appliance is now in service
The Arthur's Pass fire depot is now sporting a brand new Toyota Dyna 4WD, 5 seat crew cab appliance. The truck has been progressively built up from scratch over the last year by Sicon to a design drawn up by APRFF
and West Melton rural fire fighters, specifically for Arthur's Pass. While the new machine is currently going through its teething stage and a few wrinkles have yet to be ironed out, the crew is very pleased with its performance so far.
20/9/05 Camper van leaves road
A camper van traveling towards Arthur's Pass left the road after crossing Broad Stream Bridge and came to a rest upright in the adjacent paddock.
The two occupants were transported by Westpac Rescue to Christchurch hospital. Thanks to the passing drivers, DOC staff and Cora Lynn Station staff who managed the scene prior to
medical help arriving. Attended by DOC, APRFF, Westpac Rescue, Malvern St John and the Police.
18/9/05 Foot evacuation from Andrews
A team of 9 APRES members were called to the Andrews Valley when weather prevented the evacuation of an injured tramper by helicopter.
The team met the tramping party a couple of hours into the valley. The injured tramper was able to be assisted out on foot, so fortunately the stretcher team was not required.
9/05 Appliance out of action
While returning from a scheduled service, the venerated Commer threw a piston near Cass and is out of action
for the immediate future. The new 4WD appliance is still being built but is reportedly near completion. In the mean time APRFF is
still able to respond to incidents.
8/05 Tunnellers Cottage saved
A fire in the wall and ceiling cavities of the historic Tunnellers Cottage in Arthur's Pass Village was extinguished by the APRFF crew. The fire was detected early which was a key factor in saving the building.
The crew accessed the fire through opening up external wall cladding and by removing roofing iron. Attended by APRFF and Springfield Fire Brigade.
7/05 Arthur's Pass farewells Danny, Heidi and Jaeden Giles.
After a couple of years as active community members, the Giles' are leaving for a new police post on the plains. Thanks for your huge contribution to APRES and we wish
you well in all your future endeavors.
9/4/05 Tramper's body recovered after fall
Arthur's Pass police and APRES members undertook a search for a missing German tramper who had set out for a
day trip on Con's Track. His body was recovered later in the day by helicopter from a steep gully in Bridal Veil Stream.
It appears at this stage that he died as a result of a fall while descending off route from Mt Cassidy.
8/4/05 Witnesses see fireball after car crash
A driver sustained minor injuries when he lost control of his car on Paddy's bluffs on SH73. The car rolled three times
before coming to a stop beside the Waimakariri River. He was able to climb back to the road and flag down another motorist. The car
caught fire and later witnesses saw a substantial fireball. The crash was attended by APRFF.
27/3/05 Fatality at Cornishman's Rise corner
A head on motor vehicle crash on the sharp Cornishman's Rise corner near the Mt White Road turn off, resulted in the
death of a young woman and serious injuries for several others involved. The crash, the worst attended by local emergency services in many years,
required the assistance of Arthur's Pass Police, Arthur's Pass Rural Fire, Malvern St John Ambulance, Springfield Fire Brigade, Westpac Rescue and
members of the public.
21/3/05 Between a rock and a hard place
A tramper spent two nights on an exposed ledge on lower Rome Ridge of Mt Rolleston before being located by searchers
early Monday evening. Low cloud hampered visibility and limited use of a helicopter, however two searchers dropped near the East Crow Glacier
heard the overdue party's whistle and were able to locate him just after nightfall. He was assisted down to safer ground for the night and was able to continue
down-climbing the following day with the searchers.
16/3/05 Fertiliser spill
The driver of a truck and trailer unit traveling down the Otira Gorge managed to keep his truck on the road after
an apparent brake failure. However negotiating a 35 km/h corner the trailer swung wide and destroyed a section of barrier before
breaking up. The bin, with a load of super phosphate and potash, broke free of the trailer chassis and rolled down the bank to a terrace above the Otira River.
Fortunately no one was injured and the fertiliser was cleaned up by Ferguson Brothers contractors. The event was attended by APRFF, Kumara Fire Brigade, the Police, DOC and Westland District Council.
2/3/05 The left side is the right side, and the right side is the wrong side!
Arthur's Pass Police, APRFF and Arthur's Pass St John members attended a head on crash on Sate Highway 73 near the Bealey Hotel.
Although a high speed impact, the occupants of both vehicles were able to walk away from the crash. The occupants of one vehicle however
required further medical assistance and were transported to hospital by Malvern St John and
Westpac Rescue.
1/3/05 Trampers leave companion behind
A member of a group of overseas trampers fell behind her companions while walking in the Harper River. The group contacted the police that evening when
she failed to reach the road end. The female tramper, with little experience in the NZ outdoors,
eventually found her way to Lagoon Saddle shelter where she spent a night. She was escorted out on foot by APRES volunteers the following morning.
2/05 Mystery fire
APRFF were called to a small vegetation fire on the banks of the Waimakariri River just below the
Bealey Bridge. It is not known how the fire started. The fire was near to State Highway 73, but was not near a pull over area and was outside
the range of a thrown cigarette butt.
9/2/05 Green paddock helps contain fire
A seven person Arthur's Pass Rural Fire crew attended a grass fire that had traveled 60 metres
between the Midland Railway line and a recently sown paddock. When the crew arrived the fire was under control and a DOC Rural Fire Officer and rail employee
were on scene. A wet mop up was undertaken to ensure the fire didn't reignite with the forecast high winds expected to arrive later
8/2/05 Lucky escape when van rolls
4 overseas tourists survived their van rolling around 150 metres after leaving the road near
the Mt White turn off. NZ Army personnel who came upon the scene treated the occupant's injuries prior to the arrival of emergency services.
The incident was attended by Arthur's Pass Rural Fire, Arthur's Pass St John members and police. Malvern St John plus Springfield and
Sheffield fire brigades were all dispatched but later recalled. Two of the occupants were taken to Christchurch Hospital by Westpac Rescue.
4/2/05 Pair find day walk more than they expected
Two APRES members accompanied two day walkers down off Avalanche Peak after the pair called for assistance on their cell phone.
The party was not adequately experienced, fit or equipped for the climb and were not carrying enough water for the hot weather encountered.
1/2/05 Fire crews called to farm burn off
Arthur's Pass and Kumara attended a good intent false alarm call to the controlled gorse burn near Kellys Creek in the Otira Valley.
30/1/05 Head on blocks one lane bridge
Three cars were involved in a head on crash on Broad Stream Bridge east of Arthur's Pass. The occupant of one car was
taken to Hospital by Westpac Rescue after initial treatment by members of the public (doctors, nurses and ambulance officers!) along with APRFF volunteers. APRFF
cleared the site and opened the road, assisting with traffic control until congestion was cleared.
19/1/05 Incorrectly filled out SAR card sparks search
Arthur's Pass police and APRES volunteers undertook a search when a solo tramper was feared overdue on Avalanche Peak.
Checks were made of car parks and camping areas and a 'hasty' team sent up Avalanche Peak. The person was found fit and well, and blissfully unaware
of the unfolding search, returning to Avalanche Peak track from a recce of the Mt Bealey traverse.
4/1/05 Avoca Station fire
An APRFF crew of 7 attended a small vegetation fire adjoining the Midland Railway line for three hours carrying out mop up and cold trailing tasks.
The fire had been brought under control earlier by Mt Hutt Helicopters and Springfield Fire Brigade.
17/12/04 Boulder breaks trampers leg
A female tramper walking on avalanche debris in the upper Bealey Valley dislodged a boulder which
broke her lower left leg. The patient was found by other walkers who raised the alarm. Arthur's Pass Police/APRES responded with a foot team
carrying ambulance equipment, pain relief, clothing and a bivvie bag to keep the patient comfortable until she was winch rescued by Westpac Rescue.
28/11/04 Friends do everything right
Companions of a person who suffered a suspected spinal injury near the Waimakariri River, stabilised and protected their friend
while awaiting help. Arthur's Pass Police/St John assessed the person's injuries prior to transport which was provided by Westpac Rescue.
22/11/04 www.apres.org.nz is online!
This site now has it's very own URL and a healthy dose of server space.
We will now be able to add more content and pictures, and you will be able to find us easier! Thank you Graeme.
11/04
APRFF attended a vegetation fire in the garden of the Arthur's Pass Railway Station. The fire appears to have burned through the
duff beneath the native plants for some time before being noticed but fortunately did little damage.
3/11/04
A Track and Clue Awareness level II course was hosted by APRES in Arthur's Pass with both local and
other Canterbury SAR volunteers attending. The course, run over two days, covered sign cutting and processing clue rich areas.
7/10/04
Police, APRES members and other Arthur's Pass locals undertook search and track and clue activities throughout
the almost two week search for a 26 year old woman missing in the Arthur's Pass area. Police, the Police Dive Squad and
Canterbury SAR volunteers expanded the search which included using search dogs and a helicopter. Sadly the missing person was found deceased
alongside Punchbowl stream by a member of the public after a period of flooding.
19/9/04
Temple Basin Ski Patrol staff and skiers/snow boarders did an excellent job of stretchering a
snow boarder with maxilla-facial injuries down the Temple Basin ski field foot
track in darkness. The patient was then transferred to the
Arthur's Pass Police 4WD by local police and Arthur's Pass St John personnel to complete the journey to the car park.
Malvern St John Ambulance provided transport to Christchurch Hospital.
1/9/04
APRES has recently become affiliated with Canterbury's Pegasus SAR group. This relationship will
provide hopefully be of great benefit to both organisations. Being affiliated to Pegasus will help APRES with access
to additional training and exercises. We hope too that the extensive local knowledge, alpine experience and
rescue/medical skills within our team will be a boon to Pegasus SAR group.
26/7/04
First monthly APRES training night. Training nights to be held the last Thursday of each month
in Arthur's Pass covering SAR and rescue topics.
8-9/7/04
APRES members were involved in a SAR operation to locate and rescue two climbers overdue
in the Temple Basin area. The climbers were located during the second day of the search but bad weather meant that
they were not able to be airlifted from their location until the third day. The pair managed their situation well and were
in good health when rescued despite three nights in a improvised snow shelter.
2/5/04
Arthur's Pass Towing, local St John and victim support members treated the diver (and his dog) of
a stock truck and trailer that rolled on the summit of Arthur's Pass. Fortunately there were no stock
on board at the time.
3/04
A tramper fell while high on the Craigieburn Range and sustained moderate injuries.
APRES members were called out but the patient was evacuated by helicopter and the rescuers were recalled.
3/04
A car with two passengers left the Bruce Stream Bridge and landed upside down in
the riverbed. The occupants were released by members of the public. Medical care provided by Arthur's Pass Towing and Arthur's Pass Rural Fire.
The patients were evacuated by Westpac helicopter.
23/3/04
A female tramper twisted her ankle near Harpers Pass. After waiting overnight at Locke Stream hut she
was evacuated the following day by helicopter.
15/3/04
A woman tramping on Avalanche Peak felt out of her depth on the summit ridge and along with her
male companion was walked/talked down by Police and APRES members. This party called for assistance by cell phone.
29/2/04
A head on MVA one kilometre East of the Bealey Hotel was attended by the Arthur's Pass Rural Fire appliance
and St John Ambulance.
6/2/04
A male tramper died of natural causes while tramping on the Cass Lagoon Saddle track. Arthur's
Pass Police and APRES members evacuated his partner on foot from Lagoon Saddle. The man's body was recovered the next
day by Coast Wide Helicopters, APRES and Police.
4/2/04
Four trampers made a cell phone call to family indicating they were stuck behind the flooded Edwards
River. Arthur's Pass police and APRES members found a flood route to the trampers location and they were able to walk out
safely. This is possibly the first case of a cell phone being used to summon help since local coverage began.
30-31/1/04
APRES hosted a Track and Clue Awareness course (TCA1) for members and SAR volunteers from nearby areas.
The course was run by instructors from Tai Poutini Polytechnic and SARINZ.
8/1/2004
A party of 3 trampers lost their footing during a crossing of the Waimakariri
river when it was in high flow. A rescue was carried out involving Arthur's Pass Police, APRES members,
Department of Conservation staff and Coastwide Helicopters.
8/1/2004
A party of 3 trampers lost their footing during a crossing of the Waimakariri
river when it was in high flow. A rescue was carried out involving Arthur's Pass Police, APRES members,
Department of Conservation staff and Coastwide Helicopters.
1/1/2004-4/1/2004
Arthur's Pass Volunteer Rural Fire Force along with other
volunteer fire crews, Department of Conservation staff and 8 helicopters worked to control a large
vegetation fire on Flock Hill station over 4 days.
26/12/2003-30/12/03
A search for two female trampers was eventually successful
after 4 days (the pair had been trapped in their high exposed location for 8 days).
The search initiated by Arthur's Pass Police, APRES members and Coastwide Helicopters
swelled to include many SAR teams from across the South Island, 2 Alpine Cliff Rescue teams,
the RNZAF, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the Salvation Army catering team.
25/12/2003
Two motorcycles were involved in a crash on Rough Creek bridge in Arthur's
Pass village. The MVA was attended by local Volunteer Rural Fire Force members, St John Ambulance
volunteers, Arthur's Pass Police and the Westpac Rescue helicopter.
23/12/2003
Local St John Ambulance volunteer treated a tramper with facial injuries
who had fallen on Avalanche peak.
27/11/2003
Local St John Ambulance volunteer assessed a person who had
been brought to Arthur's Pass after surviving a serious motor vehicle
accident at Porters Pass.
19/9/2003
A 7 person crew from Arthur's Pass Volunteer Rural Fire Force attended a hay shed
fire alongside State Highway 73 near Grasmere Lodge. Springfield Fire Brigade and DOC also attended
the fire. The overnight fire had most of the crew on site for 12 hours.
31/8/2003
A 5 person crew from Arthur's Pass Volunteer Rural Fire Force helped Department of
Conservation Staff fight a 30-40ha grass and scrub fire near Lake Lyndon. The team was given responsibility for the
left (windward) flank and brought this under control with the help of Lake Coleridge's appliance pump.
26/8/2003
Graeme Kates has officially taken over the role of
financial admin from Niall Shepherd and is the signatory for the APRES accounts.
12/7/2003
We welcome Danny Giles to his new post as local police constable for Arthur's Pass.
2/6/2003
A new adult Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure instrument) and stethoscope
have been purchased to replace privately owned
ones. These have gone into the Ambulance pack.
5/2003
Motor Vehicle Accident (motorcycle), Otira gorge, SH 73. Attended by local St John Ambulance volunteer.
Arthur's Pass Rescue and Emergency Services Home Page www.apres.org.nz