Hunter airlifted from the Ruahine Ranges

File photo / Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter

A hunter was airlifted from the Ruahine Ranges today after becoming too ill to leave himself.

The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter responded to the activation of an emergency beacon let off by a member of the man's hunting party.

Helicopter pilot Lance Burns said the call came about 9.30am from the Rescue Coordination Centre.

He said the man, aged in his 20s, was collected from the Kylie Bivouac on the eastern side of the main Ruahine Range.

"He was quite ill - sick rather than injured," he said.

The man was treated on board by a St John paramedic and taken to the Hawkes Bay Regional Hospital for further treatment.

The rest of the hunting party remained in the ranges said Mr Burns.

"It was just him, the others were all fine."