A Czech Republic tourist was airlifted to hospital after a boulder "the size of a washing machine" fell on him at Fox Glacier yesterday.
The tourist, believed to be in his 20s, was on a guided rock climb with Fox Glacier Guiding at 3.30pm when he was caught in a rock fall.
St John paramedic Kelvin Perriman said the man received leg and back injuries and was airlifted by the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter to Greymouth Base Hospital about 6.30pm.
His injuries were moderate and not life-threatening, Mr Perriman said.
A hospital spokesman said the man was due to be discharged last night.
Fox Glacier Guiding chief executive Rob Jewell said it was still unclear what caused the rock fall.
His guide told him "the boulder just appeared; it came rolling down the hill, landed on [the tourist] and pinned him to the ground", he said.
It was lifted from the man using a system of ropes and pulleys, he said.
Rock falls were not a frequent event in the areas where the guided walks took place.
It was considered a relatively safe place to trek, he said.
The incident was believed to be the first major accident involving a guided group.
"Rock falls just randomly occur. It's one of the natural hazards of walking in the mountains.This was a freak accident," Mr Jewell said.
The company would undertake a full investigation into the accident to reassess the risk of walking in the area, he said.
"We are naturally very upset that this accident has happened and our thoughts are with our client.
All others involved in the trip have been taken off the glacier and are being looked after by Fox Glacier Guiding staff."
Two Australian brothers were killed in an ice fall at Fox Glacier in January.
Ashish and Akshay Miranda were holidaying with their parents when they walked beyond warning signs at the glacier and were buried under tonnes of falling ice.
The body of Ashish (24) was recovered immediately, but the body of Akshay (22) was not found until a week later, 10km downstream from the glacier.
A former guide at the glacier warned at the time that better fencing and more signs were needed as many tourists ignored safety barriers.
•By John Lewis and NZPA
