A tramper is being treated for hypothermia and leg injuries after being rescued from Mount Richmond Forest Park in Nelson today.
The 45-year-old German national was swept away after attempting to cross a river while hiking the Te Araroa trail.
He was washed downstream but managed to save himself by clinging to his pack, before pulling himself onto a small rocky island, according to Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter staff.
Once he was stable he used his personal locator beacon to raise the alarm.
Rescue helicopter crew arrived and an intensive care paramedic was dropped off nearby to assess the tourist.
The man was flown to Nelson Hospital with hypothermia and leg injuries.
The Te Araroa trail is a 3000km trek spanning the North and South Islands.