Three men have been rescued from the Eastern Summit Track of Mount Taranaki this evening.
The trio, who were caught in an avalanche while the rescue operation was under way, were flown off the mountain to safety by the Taranaki Rescue helicopter at 8pm, on Sunday 11 September 2016.
One has a suspected broken arm, while the others have minor injuries. All have been taken to Taranaki Base Hospital for medical treatment.
The alarm was raised at about 4.40pm by someone who had seen them on the track and was concerned they wouldn't make it down the mountain in daylight.
While the rescue helicopter was preparing to take off to head to the scene, the trio were hit by the avalanche.
When the rescuers arrived they had to navigate falling rocks and lumps of ice, ranging from the size of a golf ball to a football, to reach the trio.
Police are pleased the rescue operation was a success and that everyone is now safely off the mountain.
The incident serves as a timely reminder for trampers and outdoor adventurers to check the conditions for their planned routes before they set off, and ensure they have adequate clothing and equipment. This includes monitoring avalanche risks, which can be found on the NZ Avalanche Advisory website.
Further safety advice for outdoor activities can be found at adventuresmart.org.nz.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre