An operation is underway in the Arthur's Pass area to rescue an injured Israeli tourist.
Search coordinator Sergeant Sean Judd said the alarm was raised about 8.30am today.
A group of three Israeli men had spent the night in Goat Pass hut and were attempting to traverse an area of steep ice and snow when one of the men fell.
He is thought to have slid more than 30 metres onto rocks and broke his femur. He also sustained moderate head injuries in the fall.
One of the men was able to make it back to Goat Pass hut and radio for help.
Two medics are with the injured man and a second helicopter is en-route with members of the Christchurch Alpine Cliff Rescue team, who hope to rescue the man before nightfall.
The two other tourists have been taken to Arthur's Pass.
Sgt Judd says the group wasn't well prepared for the environment they were in.
3 News