BLUMHARDT Roger Terry

CITATION

New Zealand Bravery Medal

Special Honours List 29 January 2005

On the night of 25 September 2000, Mr Blumhardt, Mr Dobbyn and Mr Singer were the members of a Search and Rescue Team that went out in response to Mr Pickering's 111 distress call. Mr Pickering had gone to the aid of Mr Painting and his son who had got into difficulties at an altitude of 5,000 feet in the Kaimanawa Range during what has been described as a "50 year storm". The three men left Turangi at 11.00 p.m. in pitch darkness and at the height of the storm. Progress was slow; taking two and a half hours to cover one kilometre. At times they crawled on their hands and knees in wind-chill conditions at times in excess of minus 30 degrees below zero. They declined suggestions from Search and Rescue staff to turn back believing that they may be the only hope for Mr Pickering, Mr Painting and his son. Eventually, however, they were forced by the conditions to cease their rescue attempt and seek shelter.

KNOWN AWARDS

New Zealand Bravery Medal

NOTES

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