Tramper with dislocated shoulder airlifted ...

""A tramper injured in the Kahurangi National Park was located with the help of his personal locator beacon. Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter pilot Duncan Gourley said a crew responded to a beacon activation at the Upper Gridiron Shelter at around 6.30pm on Thursday (7th March, 2019). While the overnight rain had not arrived by the time the helicopter arrived, the rescue team had to contend with strong winds during the mission. The man had suffered a dislocated shoulder. He was winched from the scene and taken to Nelson Hospital."" https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/u/0/s/1/4/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.1240x700.1u5rje.png/1551990121672.jpg https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/111123626/tramper-with-dislocated-shoulder-airlifted-from-kahurangi-national-park Edge of track gaveway & I shoulder-charged edge of track as I landed, horizontally, below & off the side of it. 3hr to hobble back to a clearing while grasping the hem of my shorts to try and immobilise the arm. 1 1/2hr wait for the chopper as it had a priority duty in Golden Bay ahead of me. Calculations still favoured Nelson chopper rescue over Christchurch. Medic winched down, applied drugs but unsuccessful at re-location manipulation. Winched aboard (as GridIron Shelter clearing wasn't large enough) & flown to Nelson hospital. 2nd attempted manipulation unsuccessful. 3rd attempt successful while unconcious on anesthetic. Perscription strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), immobilisation (meaning the arm had to dangle in a particular position to be the least uncomfortable the whole time), and Panadol, was the best I could do. It hurts continuously as the joint is displaced and the supporting muscles are under a constant excessive stretch. Almost shed tears of relief when the chopper finally arrived. Though our tramping party had split for a few days, I still had a tramping partner & each group had a PLB. Strained an ankle at same incident. Fortunately knees & ankles remained functional. So grateful for NZ rescue & support people. ps - Not my own PLB so had to contact the owners relatives to reassure he was alright.