KEY POINTS:
Two men whose helicopter crashed into the side of Wanaka's rugged Criffel range are lucky to have walked away from the accident.
The men were mustering near the snow line when the pilot lowered the helicopter to get enough speed to lift over a ridge, said constable Mike Johnston.
"The gully closed up and he didn't get the lift. It was amazing the rotors were still going around," Mr Johnston said.
The helicopter's skids hit the hillside and the helicopter did a somersault. It was amazing the pair were able to walk away from the accident, he said.
Ambulance and police got to the scene on foot. He said the sight was above the fog that has been hanging around Wanaka for the last week.
"We were able to get the medi-vac on site and fly the injured man to Dunstan Hospital."
Mr Johnston spoke to the pilot this morning who has visited his mate in hospital.
"He's got a couple of broken ribs and a bruised lung but that's it," Mr Johnston said.
Helicopters are used for scenic flights and work more and more around Wanaka, he said.
"With more cars on the road, there's more crashes but I don't know if it's a percentage game or not."
He said that was up to the Civil Aviation Authority to decide.
