Woman found alive in New Zealand wilderness a month after partner fell to his death
The victim survived freezing conditions, but is distraught from the ordeal
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A woman survived a harrowing month alone in the frozen New Zealand wilderness after her partner fell to his death down a snowy mountain.
The tourist, from the Czech Republic, was found living in a park warden’s hut on the Routeburn Track, a world-renowned 32km bush-walking route that normally takes three days to complete.
After setting off on 26 July, police said the young couple got lost because track markers were buried in the snow.
Two days into their ordeal, the man fell down a steep slope and died.
The woman then spent the next three nights living outside in freezing conditions before stumbling upon the hut and breaking in, police inspector Olaf Jensen said.
"Given her experience and the avalanche risk, she decided it was best for her safety to remain in the hut, and that was the correct decision to make," Mr Jensen said.
He said the woman fashioned a letter "H" in the snow outside to signal that she needed help but hikers were avoiding the hazardous route and nobody came.
"It was not passable," the inspector said. "It was really extreme conditions."
The Czech consulate finally raised the alarm on Wednesday and the woman was found later that day.
Police found the couple’s car at the start of the trail and sent a helicopter along the route.
Mr Olaf said the woman was relieved to see her rescuers after her traumatic experience.
"It’s very unusual for someone to be missing in the New Zealand bush for such a long period without it being reported," he added.
There was a radio in the hut but the woman couldn’t get it to work.
Geoff Owen, the Wakatipu-area operations manager for the Department of Conservation, said the Lake Mackenzie Hut where the woman stayed had firewood and may have had some food left behind by the rangers. He said the woman may also have broken into another hut nearby to find more food.
The Routeburn Track, on the South Island is very popular with tourists during the Southern Hemisphere summer. But during the winter months, from June until August, it can become treacherous.
When there is deep snow, it is typically only tackled by climbers equipped with crampons and ice axes.
Mr Jensen said the couple were reasonably well equipped for a hike but not for the conditions they encountered.
The woman was admitted to a local hospital with some frostbite, hypothermia and other minor injuries but was found to be in reasonable physical health given the circumstances. She was, however, greatly upset by her ordeal, police said.
Authorities said they plan to try and recover the body of the man, also from the Czech Republic, later Thursday.
Additional reporting by AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments