Hurt tramper rescued from Tararua Ranges

An injured tramper has been rescued from the Tararua Ranges after spending the night on a track.

The man and a companion were found in the southern ranges by a Helipro helicopter search crew sometime before 10.40am today, after an earlier attempt was hindered by cloud cover.

The search was launched after an emergency beacon was set off late last night, police southern communications acting Inspector Bruce Mackay said.

The signal's location was pinpointed about 2.30am today, but bad weather prevented searchers from being dispatched immediately.

An initial helicopter search after daybreak failed to find the signal's source due to cloud cover.

The trampers were later found on the track between Renata Hut and Elder Hut at the Upper Hutt end of the Tarauas and airlifted out.

The injured man was taken to Paraparaumu Hospital, but details of his injuries were not yet known.

Two land search and rescue crews had been on standby to be airlifted into the area.

- NZPA