7 Nov 2014

Injured hunter plucked to safety

5:01 pm on 7 November 2014

An injured hunter has been airlifted to Taranaki Base Hospital after being rescued in deep bush east of Hawera.

Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter crewman Ben Wallbank said the man, in his mid-40s, had fallen and injured his shoulder, before setting off an emergency locator beacon.

A paramedic was set down near the scene soon after 11am and a hunting companion took him on foot because he could not be seen from the air.

The helicopter then returned to New Plymouth to pick up two members of the Taranaki Alpine Cliff Rescue team.

They moved the injured man to a site where he could be successfully winched to safety at about 2.10pm.