Pig hunter knocked out after plunge down bank

An overdue pig hunter spent three hours unconscious at the foot of a bank before being rescued by Search and Rescue staff and volunteers.

Detective Sergeant John Wilson of the Rotorua police said the 43-year-old man had been pig hunting near Reporoa with a companion before the duo became separated about 8pm on Tuesday.

Mr Wilson said the man's companion had spent several hours searching for him and called police about 12.30am yesterday.

The police search and rescue squad and Land Search and Rescue volunteers then launched a search.

"However, while police were en route to the scene the hunter's companion found him in a dazed state in a pine plantation," Mr Wilson said.

"It transpired that the man had fallen down a 7m bank, suffered a concussion and was lying at the foot of the bank undiscovered and unconscious for at least three hours."

Mr Wilson said the hunter's position required the use of ropes and a stretcher to get him up the bank and on to farmland.

The hunter was treated at the scene by St John paramedics before being taken to Rotorua Hospital.

The severity of the hunter's injuries were not available.

Mr Wilson said the man was lucky to have been found as the area where he fell was covered by dense blackberry and could not have been seen from the air.

"Furthermore, as it was a relatively cool night he may well have succumbed to hypothermia if he had remained undiscovered for the night."