Man plucked to safety off ledge was injured hiker, not barrier-scaling photographerNZCC Rescue Helicopter The man remained on the flume for about 18 hours until crews abseiled to him from above. An NZCC Rescue Helicopter spokesman said he fell while hiking on an old "zig-zag road" about 9.30pm on Sunday, landing in a gully above State Highway 73. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said four fire crews, police crews and two rescue helicopters attended the scene. He said helicopter crews found it difficult to rescue the man due to the downdraught at the flume. An alpine cliff rescue and FENZ lines crew, called in from Christchurch, abseiled down to the man and secured him in a basket to be winched to safety just after 3pm.

Source: Stuff March 13, 2018 06:33 UTC