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Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Search resumes for missing West Coast tramper
Roy Arbon. Photo: Supplied The search will resume today for a West Coast beekeeper who helped to recover bodies after the Erebus air disaster and was later the victim of a drug smuggling scam after the 75-year-old went missing on a tramp near Greymouth. Police are concerned for the welfare of Roy Arbon, who is overdue from a solo walk between Mt Davy and Mt Sewell he set out on on Wednesday. He may be wearing a blue puffer jacket, shorts, and hiking boots, but this is unconfirmed. "Although he is believed to be an experienced hiker, concerns are growing due to the time overdue, lack of contact, and cold temperatures," a police spokesperson said. Erebus and Cave Creek rescuer Arbon worked for the Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Mt Erebus in 1979. In an interview with NZ History, he described the dangerous recovery work: "We were working on a glacier… probing for crevasses with an ice axe. One thing that stayed with me is the smell of unburnt aviation fuel." He also helped erect a memorial cross on the crash site amid gale-force winds so strong the helicopter could not be shut down. "I was asked to help erect a memorial cross on the site. This was done in a gale-force wind so bad the helicopter could not shut down. I believe this was because the wind was blowing so hard, they wouldn't be able to get the machine started without damage to the main rotors." In 1995, Arbon also assisted in recovering the bodies of 14 people who died when a viewing platform collapsed at Cave Creek. Caught in a drug scam Years later, Arbon was caught up in an international drug smuggling scam. He was detained in Australia after unknowingly transporting a suitcase from Brazil that contained more than 2kg of cocaine. He was later acquitted at trial in Western Australia. His ordeal was featured in the documentary The Scam. Anyone with information on Arbon's whereabouts is urged to contact police on 105, quoting job number P063265345.
Otago Daily Times
25-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Missing tramper helped retrieve Erebus crash victims
A West Coast beekeeper who helped to recover bodies after the Erebus air disaster and was later the victim of a drug smuggling scam has gone missing on a tramp near Greymouth. Police are concerned for the welfare of the 75-year-old, who is overdue from a walk up Mt Davy to Mt Sewell, north-east of Greymouth, on Wednesday. Arbon may be wearing a blue puffer jacket, shorts, hiking boots but this is not confirmed. "Police are undertaking search activity north-east of Greymouth in relation to the missing tramper." Those involved included police Search and Rescue teams, LANDSAR volunteers from Greymouth and surrounding areas, and a Search and Rescue dog and they were encountering "alpine conditions". "Teams are canvassing areas and tracks the tramper may have taken. Although the 75-year-old is believed to be an experienced hiker, there are concerns for his well-being given the length of time he has been overdue with no contact and the cold temperatures." Antarctic work after Erebus crash Arbon was working for the Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1979 when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Mt Erebus on Ross Island. He later detailed his involvement in the recovery effort to NZ History. "Conditions were dangerous. We were working on a glacier, and we did not know where the crevasses were. When these were found they were marked with a flag. I remember carrying a suitcase with all the paraphernalia in it with an ice axe in the other hand probing for crevasses," he said. "One thing that has stayed with me is the smell of unburnt aviation fuel. When the plane went down there was a blast from the aviation fuel but not all of it burnt off. "When I returned to Scott Base after the recovery phase, I was asked to help erect a memorial cross on the site. This was done in a gale-force wind so bad the helicopter could not shut down. I believe this was because the wind was blowing so hard, they wouldn't be able to get the machine started without damage to the main rotors." He also helped to recover the bodies of 14 people who died when a viewing platform collapsed at Cave Creek in Paparoa National Park in 1995. Arbon later fell prey to international drug smugglers. He was detained in Australia after a suitcase he carried from Brazil was found to be concealing more than 2kg of cocaine. Arbon was found not guilty of drug smuggling following a trial at Western Australia's District Court. The story was later told in the documentary film The Scam. Anyone who has seen Roy or has any information on his whereabouts is asked to call police on 105, quoting job number P063265345.
Otago Daily Times
25-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Concern for missing tramper on West Coast
A West Coast beekeeper who helped to recover bodies after the Erebus air disaster and was later the victim of a drug-smuggling scam has gone missing on a tramp near Greymouth. Roy Arbon, 75, is overdue from a walk on Wednesday up Mt Davy to Mt Sewell, north-east of Greymouth. Police said they have concerns for the man, due to harsh weather conditions. They said Arbon may be wearing a blue puffer jacket, shorts and hiking boots - but this is not confirmed. A search is under way. Those involved included police Search and Rescue teams, LANDSAR volunteers from Greymouth and surrounding areas, and a Search and Rescue dog. Police said they were encountering "alpine conditions". "Teams are canvassing areas and tracks the tramper may have taken. Although the 75-year-old is believed to be an experienced hiker, there are concerns for his well-being, given the length of time he has been overdue with no contact and the cold temperatures." Antarctic work after Erebus crash Arbon was working for the Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1979 when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Mt Erebus on Ross Island on November 28. He later detailed his involvement in the recovery effort to NZ History. "Conditions were dangerous. We were working on a glacier, and we did not know where the crevasses were. When these were found they were marked with a flag. I remember carrying a suitcase with all the paraphernalia in it with an ice axe in the other hand probing for crevasses. "One thing that has stayed with me is the smell of unburnt aviation fuel. When the plane went down there was a blast from the aviation fuel but not all of it burnt off," he said. "When I returned to Scott Base after the recovery phase, I was asked to help erect a memorial cross on the site. This was done in a gale-force wind so bad the helicopter could not shut down. I believe this was because the wind was blowing so hard, they wouldn't be able to get the machine started without damage to the main rotors." Arbon also helped to recover the bodies of 14 people who died when a viewing platform collapsed at Cave Creek in Paparoa National Park in 1995. Arbon later fell prey to international drug smugglers. He was detained in Australia after a suitcase he carried from Brazil was found to be concealing more than 2kg of cocaine. He was found not guilty of drug smuggling following a trial at Western Australia's District Court. The story was later told in the documentary film The Scam . Anyone who has seen Roy or has any information on his whereabouts is asked to call police on 105, quoting job number P063265345.
RNZ News
25-07-2025
- RNZ News
Tramper missing on West Coast helped retrieve Erebus disaster victims,
Missing tramper Roy Arbon appeared in a documentary The Scam. Photo: The Scam screenshot A West Coast beekeeper who helped to recover bodies after the Erebus air disaster and was later the victim of a drug smuggling scam has gone missing on a tramp near Greymouth. Police are concerned for the welfare of the 75-year-old, who is overdue from a walk up Mt Davy to Mt Sewell, north-east of Greymouth, on Wednesday. Arbon may be wearing a blue puffer jacket, shorts, hiking boots but this is not confirmed. "Police have concerns for Roy's wellbeing with the harsh weather conditions," a spokesperson said. Roy has been missing for more than a day during harsh weather conditions. Photo: Supplied / NZ police Arbon was working for the Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1979 when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Mt Erebus on Ross Island. He later detailed his involvement in the recovery effort to NZ History. "Conditions were dangerous. We were working on a glacier, and we did not know where the crevasses were. When these were found they were marked with a flag. I remember carrying a suitcase with all the paraphernalia in it with an ice axe in the other hand probing for crevasses," he said. "One thing that has stayed with me is the smell of unburnt aviation fuel. When the plane went down there was a blast from the aviation fuel but not all of it burnt off. "When I returned to Scott Base after the recovery phase, I was asked to help erect a memorial cross on the site. This was done in a gale-force wind so bad the helicopter could not shut down. I believe this was because the wind was blowing so hard, they wouldn't be able to get the machine started without damage to the main rotors." He also helped to recover the bodies of 14 people who died when a viewing platform collapsed at Cave Creek in Paparoa National Park in 1995. Arbon later fell prey to international drug smugglers . He was detained in Australia after a suitcase he carried from Brazil was found to be concealing more than 2kg of cocaine. Arbon was found not guilty of drug smuggling following a trial at Western Australia's District Court. The story was later told in the documentary film The Scam . Anyone who has seen Roy or has any information on his whereabouts is asked to call police on 105, quoting job number P063265345. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Next-Gen Surgery Starts Here and It's Made in India
'Every journey unfolds in three phases—rejection, apprehension, and acceptance,' says Sunil Singh, Founder and CEO of Univlabs . 'We built Univlabs to persist through each one.' In 2015, Sunil faced a bold question while visiting a major Gov hospital in north India? While working in an American company I am personally getting enriched but what's the cost to the country and society? Can world-class surgical technology be built in India, designed by Indian minds, for Indian needs and still compete with the best globally? Today, Univlabs is addressing that question. With a growing team, a global presence, and trusted products being used in operating rooms both in India and internationally, Univlabs demonstrates that innovation can be developed right here in India, rather than relying on imports. Why Univlabs Was Born For decades, Indian hospitals have relied on imported or refurbished surgical equipment that is expensive, outdated, and often ill-suited to local needs. Surgeons have adapted, while patients have paid the price. Sunil Singh, who has spent years designing electronic products in automotive, consumer, and surgical domain at global companies, saw a clear opportunity and a solution. India needed its own devices, not just cheaper versions of existing tech, but better, smarter tools made with purpose and a drive. That became the mission and vision behind UnivLabs. Innovation Across Borders Univlabs takes a global approach to innovation while staying grounded in India's realities. The company operates R&D centers in Gurugram, France, and Germany while collaborating with Japanese leaders in imaging. This unique model brings together Indian ingenuity and access to European and Japanese With over 16 patents and recognition from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Univlabs focuses on three core domains: 4K Endo Vision Suite with ICG imaging, Urology Fluid Management devices , and real-time surgical collaboration through the Collaborative Surgical Module (CSM). All products are designed as per international standards with innovation and patient centricity at the core. Designed with Surgeons in Mind UnivLabs builds in collaboration with the people who matter most, surgeons. Its flagship 4K ICG Endo Vision Suite, for example, offers incredible visual clarity, helps reduce fatigue during long procedures, and supports real-time tissue differentiation using fluorescence at fair price enabling widespread adaption of latest technology, The AmSafeX catheter is another standout. Traditional Foley catheters, unchanged for decades, often cause injury when used incorrectly. AmSafeX solves this with visual markers that indicate exactly when it's safe to inflate the balloon, preventing trauma and giving clinicians more confidence with every procedure. These are not incremental improvements. They're deeply thoughtful, problem-solving innovations made for better outcomes. Trusted by India's Best UnivLabs' products are now used in top hospitals and medical colleges across the country. Surgeons across India consistently rate the company's systems highly Dr. Aaml Das from Pondicherry shared his experience: 'Excellent product, great support team. We're already planning to scale up.' UnivLabs products are also gaining traction outside India, with early adoption in regions like Africa. Powered by an Exceptional Team Behind every product is a team that brings together medical insight and deep-tech experience. Sunil Singh leads the way, joined by Co-founder Dr. Anil Mandhani, one of India's foremost urologists. The broader leadership includes veterans from top healthcare and tech companies like Novartis, Kerry Bio Science, Stryker and Karl-Storz. This is a team that combines clinical credibility with a clear focus on execution. And above all, they share a belief that India can lead, not follow, when it comes to MedTech. A Startup with Global Intent Univlabs calls itself a 'startup multinational.' It may be lean and entrepreneurial, but it's already operating in over 20 countries and growing fast. With over 100 percent year-on-year growth, the company is operating in a global market potential worth $22 billion, with a strong focus on India's $2.6 billion share and emerging markets beyond. Its success has already paid dividends—literally. The Ministry of Electronics and IT, an early supporter, has seen a 36-fold return on its investment in the company. Shaping the Future from India Univlabs is not here to be a low-cost alternative to Western brands. It's here to redefine what quality looks like in surgical innovation , and to do it with pride, from India. 'We don't just want to be an Indian alternative to global brands,' says Sunil. 'We want to be the global brand that just happens to be from India.' That's more than a mission. It's a mindset. And in operating rooms across India, it's already changing lives. Looking Ahead The next wave of surgical innovation isn't waiting for permission. It's already underway—in Univlabs' labs and hospitals, led by engineers, surgeons, and visionaries who believe healthcare technology should be smart, accessible, and proudly made in India. Univlabs is building that future, one surgery at a time. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and ET Healthworld hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.
