More than 20 motorcyclists became trapped in snow after ignoring road closed signs and bypassing a locked gate on the Danseys Pass road in Central Otago.
Sergeant Ian Kerrisk of Alexandra police says they were left shaking their heads in disbelief and the decision to travel past warning signs and locked gates was foolish to say the least.
The group whose ages ranged from the early 20's to mid 70's had intended travelling over the pass to a motor cycle event in Central Otago.
They became trapped just below the summit and had spent seven hours trying to walk to safety before they were rescued.
The rescue operation involved Police, ambulance, Search and Rescue volunteers, the local four wheel drive club, a commercial grader and a local farmer with a large tractor.
