Ruapehu Hiker Experiences a Different Kind of Sky Waka

The Knoll Ridge trail on the upper slopes of Mt Ruapehu meanders across rocky surfaces, around small boulders and over loose debris, which makes it attractive for hikers and trampers. During his hike, John chose what looked like an easier route up a smooth stretch of solid rock. He then went to pull himself up on a large boulder that appeared to be solidly embedded in the side of the ridge - but the moment his fingers touched the top edge of the boulder, he was shocked to find that it was in fact balanced precariously, as if on a knife edge. The boulder came loose as John pulled himself up, and he felt himself begin to fall. John managed to escape the full weight of the boulder as it fell, and as he hit the ground on his back, the boulder toppled over his left hip. In shock and in pain, John lay still, controlling his breathing and taking stock of the situation for a few minutes before attempting to move and assess his wounds. When John made to get up, he felt a severe pain in his hips and thighs indicating a serious injury. Unable to stand, he crawled some twenty metres up the smooth solid rock strata to see how well he could move, and to find a better place to rest and work out what to do next. The Knoll’s Ridge trail is not as popular as some of the other trails up and around the mountain, and no one was around to aid John – even at midday. John called 111, and the clear weather meant the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter was dispatched. As he was speaking with the dispatcher, John was joined by a couple on the Knoll Ridge trail who were able to make him more comfortable as he waited for the helicopter to arrive. They would later say how shocked they were at how pale John was. John said he felt an immense wave of relief upon hearing the blades of the helicopter and watching it fly into view. He was assessed on the ground by the paramedics, who decided to conduct a hovering high-altitude lift into the helicopter, using the Taranaki Offshore Partnership Rescue Winch. He was flown to Whanganui Hospital for treatment, where John was found to be bruised and sore, but in good shape considering the severity of his fall. A second trip to the hospital would find he had around 100mL of fluid trapped in a lesion beneath his hip. Having taken the 'Sky Waka Gondola' up to the higher regions of Mt Ruapehu, John was rescued from his unfortunate accident by another, far more aptly named sky waka: the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter and its crew. John said he was immensely grateful to the crew and their quick response.