Woman in hospital after falling 40 metres

The woman was flown to hospital in the Hawkes Bay Rescue helicopter. Photo / Supplied

An Auckland woman who fell 40 metres from a remote washed out walking track was flown to hospital with injuries to her head, neck, chest and ankles.

The Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter was called to the Urewera National Park, about 27 kilometres south west of Lake Waikaremoana, about 11am today, where the 60-year-old woman had fallen.

She and two other trampers were traversing a washout on a track when she slipped and tumbled down a steep slope.

Her tramping party couldn't reach her and activated a personal locator beacon.

The Rescue Co-Ordinaton Centre of New Zealand directed the helicopter to the scene and it winched down a paramedic to treat the woman, before she was flown from the area.

Centre search and rescue mission co-ordinator Dave Wilson said the operation highlighted the importance of carrying beacons in remote areas.

"This is a very isolated part of the country, with no cellphone coverage. Without a [beacon], it would have taken a considerable amount of time for the party to raise the alarm," he said.
The injured woman is receiving further treatment in Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital.