A woman had to be winched onto a helicopter after falling out of a tree on the West Coast.
The woman, a Department of Conservation worker, was taking part in a bird survey on Saturday when she fell.
Police Search and Rescue staff and the NZCC West Coast Rescue Helicopter were called to assist the woman after she fell and injured her back.
The accident happened about 4pm at Waituna Creek, south of Fox Glacier. Her companion radioed for help, and rescuers were winched into the area. She was flown to the Grey Base Hospital.
Police passed their thanks to two men who were in the area and assisted in moving the injured woman to an area suitable for winching her into the helicopter.
