Wānaka Police senior sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said there were four Wānaka Search and Rescue (SAR) call-outs over the past week.

She thanked the SAR volunteers and gave a special mention to rescue dog Lochy, who had played an integral role in one of the rescues.

Fi said she could not provide many details due to privacy issues but said Lochy had “pretty much enabled SAR to bring someone home”.

The callouts are a timely reminder to the public to prepare themselves before heading out into the great outdoors, she said.

She gave the following reminders:

• Plan your trip: This includes the route you will take and the amount of time you can reasonably expect it to take.
• Tell someone your plans: Make sure someone knows your plans, including the day you expect to return – that way they can raise the alarm if you don’t return as planned.
• Be aware of the weather: New Zealand’s weather can be highly unpredictable and weather conditions can change rapidly – make sure to check the forecast and be prepared for all eventualities.
• Know your limits: Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience.
• Take sufficient supplies: Make sure you have enough food, clothing, equipment and emergency rations for the worst-case scenario.

“It’s also important to ensure that you have an appropriate means of communication, should you need it,” she said. “Mobile phones don’t always work in some remote spots, so police recommend always taking a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).”

Drunk driver

A person who was pulled over near Wānaka last Saturday afternoon (April 20) was found to have a blood alcohol level of 1417 micrograms per litre (mcg). 

Fi said this was a “shocking” level.

A result of between 250mg and 400mg leads to an infringement and anything above 400mcg will send an individual to court.

Police were alerted to the situation after reports of a vehicle swerving over the road.

They stopped the driver between Cardrona Valley and Wānaka.

“I don’t know how they could find their car let alone drive it,” Fi said. “This is really disappointing.”

Police deployed its Impairment Prevention Team on Thursday (April 18) with a more positive outcome.

Across two checkpoints it administered 158 breath tests to drivers and all of them were within the legal limit to drive, Fi said.

She said drivers should expect to see police patrols anytime and anywhere.

“Our staff will be out on roads, often in locations you least expect us to be. So please take your time and drive to the conditions,” she said. 

“With an expected increase in activity on our roads over the holiday period, our focus remains on these four main behaviours: restraints, impairment, distraction and speed.”

Police recruitment

Anyone with an interest in the police force can attend an upcoming seminar which will take place at Queenstown Police Station on May 8 at 7pm.

“If you’re interested, get in touch,” Fiona said. 

Find more information about the seminar here.

Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.

Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.

Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.

To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.

PHOTO: Wānaka App