A woman had to be airlifted to hospital after she slipped on a walking track, hurting her back.
The Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was called to help the woman about 1.30pm. Pilot Barry Vincent said the 73-year-old woman was on a walking track in the Waimangu area, about 25km south east of Rotorua.
He said the woman had hurt her back and was unable to move.
"Due to the inaccessibility of the area a St John paramedic was winched to the site using the First Sovereign Trust rescue winch, to asses the woman's injuries,'' Mr Vincent said.
"Both were then winched aboard the helicopter and flown to Rotorua Hospital.''
He said the woman was in some discomfort.