Climber in hospital

A climber rescued from Mount Cook after surviving a 100m fall was in a stable condition with multiple injuries in Christchurch Hospital yesterday.

The 24-year-old Australian was airlifted from near the summit of the mountain in a serious condition on Friday after his fall was broken by a rock ledge.

Rescuers said the height and strong wind conditions made the mission to retrieve the climber difficult.

The climber's family had asked media not to contact them at this time, a hospital spokeswoman said.