A rescue helicopter long-lined an injured woman off a steep hillside near Gisborne this afternoon after she slipped while walking with friends.
The helicopter pilot described it as a challenging rescue because of the very steep terrain with fences and rising ground all around.
The woman was put on a stretcher at the end of a 50 metre long-line and airlifted to an area of flat ground where she was transferred to the helicopter and flown to hospital.
The St John staff there are full of praise for the pilot's skills in carrying out the rescue the way he did.
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The 66-year-old woman suffered a broken leg.