A woman has been seriously injured after falling over 20 metres into a gorge.
The 18-year-old woman is a member of the Massey University Alpine Club and was one of a large group of people undertaking an introductory course. The exercise involved jumping from the Ballance Bridge, which is the Woodville side of the Manawatu Gorge, on a swing rope.
Around 100 people throughout the day were doing the exercise and it is believed approximately 80 of those had already completed it when the incident happened at around 2.45pm. The woman fell an estimated 22 metres to the stones below.
The woman was taken by land ambulance to Palmerston North Hospital where she is in a critical condition. She is not being named at this stage as family are still to be notified.
The area was sealed off by police and OSH attended the scene. An investigation is now underway to establish exactly what happened.
Members of Victim Support attended the scene and other counselling support was also provided by Massey University who will offer ongoing support to those who witnessed the incident.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.