Police say a young German man who fell while climbing Mount Ruapehu in street shoes, was unprepared and ill equipped for alpine conditions.
RARO (Ruapehu alpine rescue) team member Blake McDavitt with the injured man. Photo: GREENLEA RESCUE HELICOPTER
The man had to be airlifted to hospital after he slid some distance on the snow and ice and collided with rocks.
The 19-year-old suffered a fracture to his left femur and used his shirt to help stem the blood loss and his shoe laces to make a splint on his lower leg.
He dragged himself down the hill and called out for help.
His cries were heard by a man hiking with his daughter.
The Taupo Greenlea Rescue Helicopter airlifted the man to Rotorua Hospital.
Police say while he did exceptionally well to drag himself far enough to get help, he wasn't prepared for the trip.
