Hunter airlifted to hospital with arrow in his leg

A hunter was airlifted to hospital early today with an arrow embedded in his leg.

The 51-year-old had been removing the arrow from an animal when he slipped and the arrow went into his leg.

While his son comforted him at the Tawhihi hut, north of Ruatahuna, in the Bay of Plenty, another party of hunters walked out to raise the alarm.

The injured hunter was picked up by the Baytrust rescue helicopter and flown to Rotorua Hospital after being stabilised by St John advanced paramedics.

The helicopter crew used night vision goggles to find the hut.

- NZPA