17 May 2007
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopter will join the search effort for 51-year-old Steve Thornborrow who has failed to return from a tramping trip in the Kahurangi National Park.
The RNZAF helicopter, captained by Flight Lieutenant Rob Arrowsmith, is due to arrive at Motueka Air Field at 2pm to assist police-led search efforts in the Mount Arthur Area.
Flight Lieutenant Arrowsmith said he and his crew would begin transporting volunteer search teams and dogs into the area shortly after they arrived, assuming the weather allowed it.
“Some of the further reaches of the park are quite inaccessible by track so we will be transporting search teams into those areas to assist efforts initially.”
The search takes place only days after an Iroquois assisted a successful search in the same location for Swiss tramper Sandro Piccapietra.
Motueka police spokesman Senior Sergeant Grant Andrews said RNZAF Iroquois were ideal for search and rescue operations as the crews were experienced at both flying and search and rescue techniques.
ENDS
For further information please contact James Heffield, Defence Public Relations, on 04 496 0286 or 021 676 338.