SYDNEY (JTA) — An operation is currently under way in the Arthur’s Pass in New Zealand’s South Island area to rescue an injured Israeli tourist.

Search coordinator Sgt. Sean Judd of the New Zealand Police said the alarm was raised about 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. 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. It is believed he slid about 100 feet on to rocks and sustained a broken femur and moderate head injuries in the fall.

One of the party was able to make it back to Goat Pass hut and radio for help.

New Zealand Police report that two medics are now with the injured man and a second helicopter is en route to the scene with members of the Christchurch Alpine Cliff Rescue team who hope to secure and extract the injured man before nightfall.

The two other Israeli tourists have been taken to Arthur’s Pass.

Judd said the group was not well prepared for the conditions on the mountain.

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