Two climbers involved in an incident on Mt Brewster in Mount Aspiring National Park yesterday afternoon (Sunday February 15) were rescued in a response coordinated by the Maritime NZ Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ).

A Maritime NZ spokesperson told the Wānaka App the RCCNZ received a personal locator beacon (PLB) activation at 3:25pm on Sunday.

“Our team established that two climbers had fallen, with one climber unable to walk due to their injuries,” the spokesperson said.

A Lakes District Air Rescue Trust helicopter based in Queenstown was tasked to respond, alongside a helicopter from Aspiring Helicopters with the Wānaka Search and Rescue (SAR) Alpine Cliff Rescue (ACR) team onboard in case a technical rescue was required.

The rescue helicopter arrived on scene first and located both patients.

“A technical rescue wasn’t required - meaning the climbers didn’t require a complex alpine rescue – so the second helicopter with the ACR team onboard was stood down,” the RCCNZ spokesperson said.  

“One patient was treated on scene and continued their climb. The second patient was winched aboard the rescue helicopter and flown to Lakes District Hospital with minor injuries.”

Last year the NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) prepared a safety video to help hikers and trampers better prepare for the Brewster Track after a surge in rescues and fatalities on the popular but challenging track.

Read more: Hazardous popular track subject of video

Two people have died in the area in the past five years, and in the last two years alone, 26 people were rescued - a nearly 600 percent increase compared to previous years. 

Most incidents occurred either at the unbridged Haast River or beyond Brewster Hut toward Brewster Glacier where there is no track.

Read more: Unprecedented Brewster rescues – social media misconceptions endangering lives

PHOTO: Supplied