Injured hunter rescued by helicopter from dense Wairarapa forest

Sunday, 22 October 2017

The injured hunter was airlifted out of the bush by Life Flight's Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter. (file photo)

A hunter has been taken to hospital after falling and injuring his leg in rugged terrain, near Martinborough.

Life Flight rescue helicopter crewman Mike Beausoleil said the man, who had been hunting in Aorangi Forest Park, northeast of the Putangirua Pinnacles, set off an emergency beacon just before 10am on Sunday.

A three-man crew responded to the distress call in what Beausoleil said was a 'strenuous' rescue operation, with high winds making winching the man to safety near-impossible.

The crew were able to eventually reach the man and transport him to Wellington Hospital.

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Beausoleil said he was in a stable condition with an injury to his lower leg.

Aorangi Forest Park lies between Martinborough in the north and Cape Palliser in the south, covering a large part of the Aorangi mountains.

Deer, goats and pigs are able to be hunted in the area but a permit is required.