Man winched to safety after falling down bank in Tararuas

A man was winched to safety by helicopter yesterday after falling seven metres down a bank in the Tararuas.

The Wellington man, 40, was taking part in a 24-hour adventure race when he fell just west of Mt Bruce, near Masterton, about 11pm on Saturday.

He was knocked unconscious and suffered head, chest and hip injuries. Team members stayed with him while other trampers walked for nearly 12 hours before raising the alarm.