"Tricky" rescue for injured motocross rider

The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter navigated a tricky rescue of a motocross rider along the Maungatapu Track Monday afternoon.

The rider had come off his bike and broken his ankle between the Maitai Valley and the Pelorus side of the track.

Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter pilot Colby Tyrrell says the crew took off just after 1pm Monday.

"It was tricky access and so we had to winch the guy," he says.

The winch is only used when the helicopter can't land or hover to pick up patients, commonly due to uneven terrain or dense bush.

Once aboard, the rider was taken to Nelson Hospital at around 2.20pm.

The Mangatapu Track is an advanced graded cycling route into Nelson following a rough steep road over the Mangatapu Saddle - approximately 800m above sea level.