Climber transferred to Chch Hospital

A sick climber who was airlifted from Aoraki/Mt Cook after being trapped since Thursday has been transferred to Christchurch Hospital.

The 34-year-old Australian man was airlifted off the mountain and flown into Mt Cook Village about 9.30am yesterday, before being transported to Timaru Hospital.

He was at the hospital only briefly before being was transferred to Christchurch Hospital.

He had requested that no details of his condition be released, a Canterbury District Health Board spokeswoman said.

The man, who was on an instruction course with 14 others, suffered a suspected collapsed lung on Thursday and was trapped at Kelman Hut, at the head of the Tasman Glacier, as high winds and rain put a stop to rescue efforts.

- NZPA