Rescuers help injured man off Mt Taranaki

Rescuers are battling "horrendous weather" to help an injured tramper off Mt Taranaki, where he has been trapped for two nights.

The 51-year old Auckland man injured his knee descending the mountain on Sunday, after reaching the summit the previous day.

He made his way back up to Syme Hut, 1960m above sea level, and called police.

Rough weather prevented a helicopter from reaching him yesterday.

Sergeant Andrew Ross of New Plymouth police said an alpine rescue team with a paramedic was sent to the hut yesterday.

The man was treated overnight and the rescue team would help him down today.

"He had some movement in his knee, so they were going to attempt to bring him down the mountain," Mr Ross said.

"It's pretty horrendous weather up there still. It snowed overnight, and it's very strong wind."

A second alpine rescue team and a police search and rescue squad would meet the rescuers and help the man down to Kapuni Lodge.

- NZPA