A young Masterton hunter with a serious leg injury was plucked to safety after plunging down a bluff in the Tararua Ranges.
Chris Moody, Palmerston North rescue helicopter pilot, said the hunter, 22, had fallen down a bluff near the Mangahao Flats Hut area, where the rescue crew was called about 2pm on Sunday.
Mr Moody said the man's hunting companion had applied first aid before running out to raise the alarm.
The rescue helicopter crew located the injured hunter "after a challenging search".
An onboard St John ambulance advanced paramedic was landed near the scene to ready the hunter for a winch rescue, Mr Moody said.
