Injured kayaker winched to safety on West Coast

A Christchurch kayaker spent the night in bush on the West Coast after suspected broken ribs meant he could not paddle out and the terrain was too tough to walk out.

Nicholas Thomas, 32, fell out of his kayak on the upper Hokitika River yesterday and his companion paddled out to alert police.

Sergeant Sean Judd, of West Coast search and rescue, said Mr Thomas' injury meant he could not paddle certain sections of the river.

"The area they were in is extremely rugged and walking out is very difficult indeed."

After a reasonable amount of time was given for Mr Thomas to make his own way out a helicopter was sent to search for him.

He was found and winched to safety by the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter and flown to Greymouth Hospital with suspected broken ribs.

"We are happy that the pair had extra equipment with them including extra food and basic overnight gear. Once he found himself in difficulty and unable to walk out he decided to stay put and wait for rescue," Mr Judd said.

- NZPA