Long, painful night in bush for elderly man

The Urewera Ranges. Photo / Alan Gibson

A 71-year-old man spent a night alone and in a pain after breaking his ankle while tramping in the Urewera Ranges, east of Taupo.

Youthtown Trust Rescue Helicopter spokesman Nat Every said the man broke his ankle and had to spend the night alone while his companion went for help.

The man was airlifted to Rotorua Hospital.

- NZPA