Paritutu Rock and nearby rock islands in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Photo: Jordan Tan / 123rf
A man has been hospitalised after falling off the Paritutu Rock walkway in New Plymouth.
Police said they received a report at about 5:10pm on Monday that a man might have fallen from the top of the steep volcanic outcrop between Back Beach and Ngāmotu Beach.
Police, Search and Rescue, including Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, and a helicopter all helped to search for the man.
About 7pm, the man was found stuck at the base of Paritutu Road, with minor injuries.
He was winched by the helicopter and airlifted to the carpark where he was assessed by ambulance staff.
He was taken by ambulance to Taranaki Base Hospital in a moderate condition.
Surf Lifesaving said its Taranaki Search and Rescue squad helped in the search for an hour and half as police were unsure if the man was in the water or on land.
It carried out a shoreline search using an inflatable rescue boat and a jetski before being stood down.
