RNZAF NH90 helicopter crew find missing teenager

The crew from No. 3 Squadron had been in the area conducting mountain flying training when they were re-tasked to respond to the search and rescue operation for the student. The teenager had become separated from his group, prompting a search by New Zealand Police and Land Search and Rescue volunteers.

The NH90 Helicopter crew began their aerial search in the vicinity of Sunrise Hut. They searched tracks in that area along with Top Maropea Hut before conducting aerial searches along the Waipawa River Valley which is where they found the teenager.

They winched the student into the helicopter and flew him to safety, where he was met by Police and re-united with family.

The crew also then extracted ground search volunteers who had spent a long night searching for the teenager after he was reported missing on Tuesday.