New Year’s Eve celebrations were disrupted for one person in the remote Lake Monowai area in Fiordland National Park last night (31 Dec) after they had a fall and had to be airlifted out.

A St John Ambulance spokesperson says they were notified of the accident at 8pm and the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter responded just after 8.30pm. “One patient was treated and airlifted to Southland Hospital in a moderate condition,” she says.

The Lake Monowai area, about 40 minutes’ drive from Otautau, is a popular summer boating and holiday spot around 12kms from Borland Lodge.