18 Jul 2016

ATV carrying three plunges off cliff

4:22 pm on 18 July 2016

A hunting trip in the Marlborough Sounds ended with three people needing to be rescued early this morning, after their 4-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle left the road and went down a cliff.

The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter was called to Manaroa Bay in Pelorus Sound.

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Pelorus Sound, where three people were rescued after their vehicle left the road. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

Pilot Tim Douglas-Clifford said one of the passengers had been thrown into the sea below.

"There were three people on an ATV [all-terrain vehicle], one got ejected out and went down the cliff further, then was in the tide."

The passenger raised the alarm after walking back onto the road.

Mr Douglas-Clifford said two women were winched to safety and flown to Nelson Hospital with moderate injuries.

The man who raised the alarm suffered bruising but did not need hospital treatment.