A drunk young man suffered back injuries when he fell from the Arahura River bridge north of Hokitika early on Saturday.
Acting Sergeant Nerida Manson of Hokitika police said the intoxicated man was alone when he fell from the bridge.
Ms Manson said the injured man, who was in his 20s and from Christchurch, apparently later told friends he was trying to climb the bridge when he fell.
He crawled several hundred metres to get help and was flown to Grey Base Hospital with back injuries.
The NZCC Rescue Helicopter was called at 1.30am to pick up the man, Greymouth St John manager Andrew Ching said.
