Injured Ruahine Ranges tramper airlifted to hospital

The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter at the Coppermine in the Ruahine Ranges to airlift an injured tramper to hospital. Photo / Supplied

The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter successfully lifted an injured tramper from Coppermine Track in the Ruahine Ranges mid-afternoon Tuesday.

The man, 70, was located, along with the rest of his tramping group, in a closed canopy. The group used a flashing torch and waved their light clothing to signal the rescue helicopter.

A paramedic was winched down to the injured man, who was unable to walk due to his injuries.

He was then treated and stabilised in preparation to be winched back up to the
waiting rescue helicopter.

The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter rescue hoist and Bauman Screamer Suit were used to lift the paramedic and injured man into the chopper, before transporting him to Palmerston North Hospital for further assessment.

The tramper's condition was reported as stable and he was due to be discharged soon.

Meanwhile, emergency services were called to a motor-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 2 and France Rd, Tuesday, at 10.30pm, the second accident that evening for the driver.

A police spokeswoman said the driver had hit a pole in Norsewood, before continuing south down State Highway 2 and smashing into a power pole at the France Rd intersection at Matamau.

The driver suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by police.