New Zealand police working to rescue injured Israeli tourist
Hiker slides 100 feet on to rocks, sustaining a broken femur and moderate head injuries
SYDNEY — An operation was under way Thursday in the Arthur’s Pass in New Zealand’s South Island area to rescue an injured Israeli tourist.
Search coordinator Sgt. Sean Judd of the New Zealand Police said the alarm was raised about 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. A group of three Israeli men had spent the night in Goat Pass hut and were attempting to traverse an area of steep ice and snow when one of the men fell. It is believed he slid about 100 feet on to rocks and sustained a broken femur and moderate head injuries in the fall.
One of the party was able to make it back to Goat Pass hut and radio for help.
New Zealand Police reported that two medics were now the injured man and a second helicopter was en route to the scene with members of the Christchurch Alpine Cliff Rescue team who hoped to secure and extract the injured man before nightfall.
The two other Israeli tourists were taken to Arthur’s Pass.
Judd said the group was not well prepared for the conditions on the mountain.