A skier on Mt Ruapehu who fell and slipped down a slope in rugged terrain had to be airlifted to safety today.
The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was called to the mountain after the man in his 60s injured his leg about 5pm.
Rescuers could not get the man off the slope by foot due to the terrain, so the helicopter was called to assist.
"The man was stabilised and prepared for transport by the Turoa ski patrol, who had prepared a landing site for the helicopter and also helped with the loading of the patient," the rescue service said.
The man was was then airlifted to the Turoa ski field medical centre where he was assessed by a doctor and a St John ambulance intensive care paramedic. He was then transported to Wanganui.
