An injured tramper has been rescued after spending several days trapped on a mountain north of Nelson.
The 74-year-old man was rescued yesterday evening after suffering a fall down the face of the mountain, suffering lacerations and bruised ribs.
The Golden Bay man was reported overdue at 11am yesterday after he failed to meet his daughter at their agreed pick-up location.
He set off for his hike on Monday at the Cobb Valley Dam, letting his family know he was safe and well on Wednesday.
When he didn’t show up to the agreed spot or make contact with family, the man’s daughter became concerned and rung police.
A helicopter with a Takaka Police Search and Rescue member and a Motueka Land Search and Rescue volunteer began a search yesterday afternoon, spotting items from the air on the sides of Mt Lockett, police said in a statement.
The man had been stuck since Tuesday and was very sunburned and dehydrated when the crew located him.
He was picked up by the Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter and taken to Nelson Hospital in a serious condition.
The tramper was very experienced and well equipped with an EPIRB, but lost some of his equipment when he fell, police said.
Search co-ordinator Senior Constable Reuben Mccormack said another night in the bush would have been fatal and praised the man for his actions.
"While the man went through a difficult ordeal, we’re pleased we found him when we did," he said. "Thankfully, this tramper has done exactly what you should do.
"He had left intentions with family and they did the right thing ringing police straight away when he became overdue."
Mr Mccormack said police wished the man a speedy recovery, and thanked rescue teams who helped in the search.
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