New Zealanders rescued after several days trapped on Solomon Islands mountain
Two New Zealand hikers, Luca Zylstra-Law and Keanu Isaksson, have been rescued by helicopter after being stranded for five days on Mt Popomanaseu in the Solomon Islands. The pair became trapped in a remote ravine following severe weather and flooding that made their descent route impassable.
Why it matters
The successful rescue highlights the importance of international consular cooperation and the risks associated with remote wilderness expeditions.
Luca Zylstra-Law and Keanu Isaksson were stuck on Mt Popomanaseu in the Solomon Islands for four days.
The two young New Zealanders who were trapped on the highest mountain in the Solomon Islands have been rescued.
Keanu Isaksson, 25, and Luca Zylstra-Law, 19, were found today, Isaksson’s mother, Denise Holl, shared on Facebook.
“New pilot today ... boys have felled a tree from previous gear drop and chopper was able to net them out. Halleluyah!”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two hikers were rescued by helicopter this morning.
They were with staff from the New Zealand High Commission in Honiara, the country’s capital, a spokesperson said.
The ministry said it would continue to “provide them, and their families, with consular assistance”.
The pair were stranded in a remote ravine for five days after the weather turned while they were descending from the Mt Popomanaseu summit.
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