Ruapehu climber out of intensive care

The climber whose leg was amputated after being crushed by a falling rock during the Mt Ruapehu eruption last week has been moved out of intensive care.

William Pike, a 22-year-old Auckland primary school teacher, was inside Dome Hut near Ruapehu's summit last Tuesday night when the rock crashed through the roof and crushed his legs.

He was airlifted off the mountain and eventually taken to Waikato Hospital, where surgeons removed his right leg below the knee the following day.

Waikato District Health Board spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said today Mr Pike had been moved into a ward.

"He is talking to his family but is in considerable pain."

- NZPA