A fall at Kerikeri's Rainbow Falls which left a man in cold water with a broken leg for almost 90 minutes sparked a major rescue operation yesterday.
The drama began just after 2pm when it is thought a group of visitors were climbing around the rocks.
The rocks, which lead to a cavern behind the falls, are slippery at the best of times but were treacherous in yesterday's rain.
One member of the group, a 33-year-old man, jumped in or fell on to rocks and broke a femur.
![The Northland Rescue Helicopter approaches Rainbow Falls to winch an injured man to safety. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/YYEJFYNIFSYYXHGTCBFXDOLZFI.jpg?auth=751c327b6fac3e1b52d598c0ba239dde9c00901e167f733f73ab181aed04c394&width=16&height=26&quality=70&smart=true)