Hunter rescued from ledge in Fiordland

A hunter has been rescued after spending the night stuck on a ledge in Fiordland.

The hunter became bluffed - unable to move up or down - early yesterday evening.

The man is one of a party of three from Taranaki, all in their 20s, who were hunting in a wapiti deer block close to Whitewater River, near George Sound.

The signal from his personal locator beacon was detected by the Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand at 6.55pm yesterday, but the Southern Lakes Rescue Helicopter was unable to winch the man free last night because an 80m overhang was above him.

The helicopter returned with the alpine cliff rescue team from Queenstown this morning and the man was rescued at around 10.45am.

RCCNZ search and rescue co-ordinator John Ashby said the man was cold and wet but unharmed. He has been flown to the hunters' camp and will continue the hunting trip.

"The safest option was for the man to stay on the ledge overnight as he was unhurt, and had some emergency equipment with him, including a survival blanket," he said.

"He was also in radio contact with his companions, so he had at least some company.

"Nevertheless, I'm sure he was very pleased to get off the ledge. This rescue once again shows the benefit of carrying a personal locator beacon. It could have been a very long wait without it."

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