Two female students are currently in the hospital after a school tramping trip emergency in the Waitakere Ranges.
Authorities were alerted early Saturday evening, after the big group (with three teachers) set off an emergency beacon. Emergency services were sent to the area of the Muir Track near Karekare beach, south of Piha.
Reports say that the two young women were part of the tramping group of 22 students. The name of the school was not revealed.
The girls reportedly suffered from hypothermia and needed to be airlifted to the Auckland City Hospital.
Police said that the group were off the track.
The Auckland Council’s regional park’s website says that the 1.2km-long track “is usually used as part of a circuit from the Whatipu carpark allowing people to link the Gibbon, Muir and Pararaha Valley tracks with the Whatipu Coastal walk.”
“It is a reasonably short track; however, it is steep and in some places requires clambering around rockfaces and banks. It is recommended for experienced trampers only.”
A press release by the New Zealand Police read: “While two members of the party were airlifted to hospital the remaining members of the party were able to walk out to Karekare Beach with support from search and rescue staff.”
“The group are in good spirits and are staying the night in Karekare,” it added.
On the same day, another tramping group alerted authorities for rescue. A 17-year-old girl, who was part of a group of six tramping on the Twin Peak Track, suffered hip and knee injuries.
“The tramping party are well provisioned with tents and camping equipment. As the girl is in a comfortable condition the group are setting up camp for the night and search and rescue staff will contact them in the morning,” said police.
