Hunter put into coma

Hunter Desmond Pemberton, who spent five freezing nights in the Kaimanawa Forest, is in an induced coma in Rotorua Hospital.

The 58-year-old's condition has been downgraded from critical to serious. He has a collapsed lung and broken pelvis and is breathing through a ventilator.

Spokeswoman Wena Harawira said Mr Pemberton would remain in intensive care for at least two days.

Mr Pemberton, a cancer patient, who fell down a ravine last Wednesday, was helped in his fight for survival by his dog, B, who stayed with him throughout the ordeal and kept him warm at night in temperatures as low as minus 4 deg.

He was found by chance on Monday.