Skier injured in fall from chairlift

An Asian tourist is being treated for spinal injuries after falling 5m from a chairlift at Mount Hutt skifield yesterday.

A Mt Hutt spokesman said the 33-year-old man lost his balance as he tried to mount the chairlift yesterday afternoon.

He was carried part way up the mountain clinging to the chair rails before skifield staff could stop the machine.

Staff climbed up a pylon to try and help the man but he lost his grip and fell to the ground before he could be reached.

Medical staff treated him at the scene for suspected spinal injuries before he was flown to Christchurch Hospital by the Westpac rescue helicopter.

His condition was not available this morning.

- NZPA