Woman with Broken Ankle Rescued off Mountain

The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Ben More, south of Ward, to rescue a woman with a broken ankle this afternoon.

Ambulance communications in Christchurch received a 111 call alerting them to the injured woman around 2pm.

The woman was in a group of about 20 people out for a day tramp on Ben More Station, about 15km south west of Ward. The 44 year old Blenheim woman twisted her ankle while walking down the mountain, heard a cracking sound and was unable to stand on her ankle after that.

"The group was well prepared and kept her warm and comfortable while waiting for the helicopter" says Dave Greenberg, Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman. "As we approached the area we were in cellphone contact and they talked us straight into their position".

Our Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic was able to step off the helicopter while it hovered on a ridge near the injured woman, and once he had stabilised her legs the pair were winched back into the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the woman was transported to Wairau Hospital in Blenheim where she arrived at about 3:40 pm.

She is suffering from a suspected broken ankle and is currently being treated in Wairau Hospital

ENDS

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