Tasman District police say a man who was rescued after getting stuck in a cave near Mt Arthur is cold and wet, but otherwise unharmed.
The 62-year-old had been trapped 80 metres underground in a squeeze in Pillar Cave, in the Kahurangi National Park, overnight.
The rescue team had to use explosives to enlarge the squeeze to get him out.
He was freed at 2pm on Sunday, after spending about 17 hours trapped in the cave. He was then flown by helicopter to Nelson for medical checks, and police say he is fine.
The man was with a group of 18 cavers, who passed him food and warm clothing. His wife stayed with him in the cave overnight.
