A helicopter rescue lifted kayaker Matt Coles out of New Zealand’s Windhover Gorge earlier this week after a nasty upside down waterfall drop.
TVNZ reported that the expedition was an attempted first descent of a section of the Waitaha River, just south of Hokitika on New Zealand’s west coast.
“Somewhere on the way I got my ankle caught on rocks and twisted my ankle. I was right at the entry of the rapid holding on to the throw bag,” said Coles of the injury that ended with an air evacuation.
It happened after both Coles and his fellow kayaker Shannon Mast were thrown off line and dropped the waterfall up side down and backwards.
“There’s a reason that it hasn’t been paddled yet,” said Mast of the Windhover Gorge and its five waterfalls, in a ONE News video of the rescue.
For a full report and video of the trip-ending swim and helicopter rescue, click here.
