A man who fell 100 metres down a cliff while trying to help his son who had also fallen remains in a serious condition in intensive care.
The rescue at Omanawa Falls taking place. Photo: Kutz Photography
The man, who is 38, and his 12-year-old son, were on a family outing at Omanawa Falls near Tauranga, yesterday.
The man sustained back and shoulder injuries and Tauranga Hospital said while his condition was listed as serious, he was stable.
The boy suffered head injuries and was in a stable condition at the hospital.
The pilot of the TECT rescue helicopter Liam Brettykelly said the track into the falls and a lagoon was rugged and a winch was required to rescue the pair.
"These guys were about 100 metres below where they fell, and it's quite a rugged, narrow track getting out so there's no way they could have been carried out of there."
A Fire Service spokesperson said the track, near an old power station, was fenced off but was used by many people to reach the lagoon.