Two hunters had to make an emergency landing when their helicopter engine failed on the remote West Coast of the South Island this morning.
Emergency services were alerted after the men set off an emergency locator beacon near Karamea, by the Kahurangi National Park, about 9.30am today.
Rescue Coordination Centre spokeswoman Sian Routledge said the Nelson-based Summit rescue helicopter found the helicopter about 11am.
"They located the beacon and picked up two people from the helicopter. The helicopter had had engine failure, so thankfully everyone was safe and sound,'' she said.
"It demonstrates the benefits of carrying distress beacons because they were able to be located quite quickly.''
