'Challenging' rescue of tourist from cave

File photo / NZ Herald

Police describe the rescue of an American tourist from the Ananui Cave at Charleston last night as "challenging".

The woman was on a guided tour of the cave, in the Nile River area, when she slipped on the limestone floor. She was among 15 people on the tour by Underworld Adventures, owned by Norwest Adventures Ltd.

Search and rescue co-ordinator Sean Judd said some of the caving tour staff, along with caving search and rescue staff and police were involved in the rescue.

"All up we had about 25 people involved in the woman's rescue -- even the NZCC Rescue Helicopter pilot gave us a hand when we were stretchering the her out," Mr Judd said.

Rescuers had to carry the woman for about 300m.

"We had to carry her through some pretty narrow spots and when we came out, the next challenge was some steep stairs, which took us out into the bush, then on to the riverbed."

The others on the tour were able to make their own way out of the cave, which enabled plenty of room for the rescue team to get in.

The woman slipped about 5pm and it took rescuers until about 8.30pm to get her to the rescue helicopter, which transported her to Grey Base Hospital.