Injured hunter airlifted to safety

A Labour weekend hunting trip ended abruptly for a middle aged man when he slipped down a bank and landed heavily on rocks, breaking his leg and ribs.

The 48-year-old had been hunting chamois with a friend in the Waitangitoana River valley, north of Franz Josef, 150km south west of hokitika, when he slipped and fell down a 6-9m bank on Saturday.

The hunters activated an emergency beacon and the injured man was winched to safety by a Westpac rescue helicopter from Christchurch.

The helicopter crew said it was a routine operation, although they had to be wary of the tall native trees in the area.

Police praised the hunters' preparedness.

- NZPA