Eels feed on injured teen's legs after fall

A teenager plunged 50m down a waterfall seriously injuring his legs, which were then set on by eels before he was rescued more than 1 1/2 hours later.

The 16-year-old Hunterville youth fell 50m off the ledge of a waterfall in the Whareihungaru Stream system, 16km west of Hunterville, about 3.30pm on Friday.

His cries for help were heard by passersby around 5pm. They said eels in the water were taking bites at his legs.

The Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter flew the teen to Palmerston North Hospital.