KEY POINTS:
A night time helicopter rescue of an injured man from Mt Tongariro yesterday may have saved his leg.
Robert Philip Holden, 44, was descending the National Park mountain with a companion about 5.45pm, when he fell and broke his lower leg about 2km from the Oturere Hut.
The pair raised the alarm using cellphones and built a snowcave for shelter until the Taupo-based Lion Foundation rescue helicopter arrived at 8pm.
Mr Holden was flown directly to Rotorua Hospital where emergency staff said he might have lost his leg if he had been left overnight.
Search and rescue Senior Constable Mark Bond said Mr Holden had been extremely well equipped for his journey and was experienced, having been to the area numerous times in the past.
- NZPA
