Tramper's rescue tricky for pilot

A helicopter rescue of an injured woman on the West Coast yesterday was among the most difficult of the pilot's career, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre says.

The 46-year-old English tramper was swept away in the Lake Sumner Forest Park when she and friends tried to cross the Otehake River.

She was washed on to a ledge and another tramping party which arrived on the scene soon afterwards set off an emergency signal.

Centre spokesman Steve Corbett said the Solid Energy rescue helicopter had to return to Greymouth to get a longer line when it was discovered the 30.48m line from the chopper was not long enough to reach the injured tourist.

Mr Corbett said the dense foliage prevented the pilot from keeping the paramedic in sight.

"It was one of the most difficult rescues the pilot had ever done."

The woman was eventually winched into the helicopter and taken to Greymouth Hospital for treatment for minor injuries and suspected hypothermia.