A German tourist is in a stable condition in hospital after being rescued from a crevasse high above Fox Glacier on the South Island's West Coast.
The woman was lifted out of the Explorer Glacier about 8.40am on Friday and taken to a medical centre in Franz Josef for an assessment before being transferred to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter.
The 34-year-old fell about 20 metres into the crevasse on Thursday afternoon, but cloud delayed a helicopter rescue and she had to spend last night there accompanied by search and rescue personnel who reached her about 6pm.
Search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Sean Judd told Radio New Zealand on Friday she was in reasonably good spirits and had been given pain relief.
The woman suffered serious limb injuries and had been hypothermic when rescuers found her.
She had been climbing with her boyfriend, both of whom are experienced mountaineers and were well-equipped.
