KEY POINTS:
An injured pilot scaled an ice wall on Mt Ruapehu last night to get help for his passengers after a helicopter crashed near the Crater Lake.
Five people, four men and a woman, were taken to hospital after being rescued from the crash site.
The crash happened about 5.30pm when a Hughes 500 carrying five people, including three Department of Conservation staff, was returning from the Crater Lake.
National Park police spokesman Tony Carne said the helicopter crashed soon after take-off, hitting the side of the crater and falling into the water.
"The occupants had to climb out of the water on to a ledge between the lake and an ice wall," Mr Carne said.
The alarm was raised about 6.10pm when the pilot, who had climbed the ice wall, and walked down the mountain toward Whakapapa skifield, met some trampers.
Taupo-based Lion Foundation rescue helicopter pilot Dan harcourt said the pilot used one of the tramper's cellphones to dial 111.
"The pilot had managed to climb the near vertical 30-metre ice shelf above his crash site with just an ice axe and a broken foot, and then continued down the mountain until he was able to alert hikers to his situation," Mr Harcourt said.
Mr Carne said emergency staff from National Park police, Ruapehu Alpine rescue Organisation (RARO) and the Department of Conservation responded.
"Four RARO members were airlifted from Whakapapa Medical Centre and assessed the injured parties via a long-line below the Helicopter Services rescue helicopter," Mr Carne said.
Mr Harcourt said the four passengers were long-lined up out of the lake to the rim of the crater and then ferried down for assessment at Whakapapa Medical Centre.
All of the victims were treated at the centre for a range of injuries including a broken rib, dislocated shoulder, head wounds and hypothermia.
Mr Harcourt said a 37-year-old Whakapapa man was flown to Waikato Hospital with chest, head and leg injuries. Another Taupo man was also flown to Waikato to be assessed for a suspected spinal injury.
The 33-year-old pilot was flown to Waikato for treatment, while the other two passengers were driven to Taumarunui Hospital to be treated for mild hypothermia.
Mr Carne said the Department of Conservation, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Transport Accident Commission and police would be investigating the cause of the crash and the recovery of the helicopter.
- NZPA
