British climber rescued

Dr Yvonne Cook was facing another night of sub-zero temperatures

A British woman suffering from hypothermia and stranded for three nights on New Zealand's highest mountain has been airlifted to safety.

Dr Yvonne Cook, 36, and Dr Stephen Roberts, 33, were stuck in a snow cave on a glacier 7,200 feet up Mount Cook.

A helicopter evacuation of the climbers and their six-strong rescue team was delayed by snow and strong winds but eventually went ahead.

Sgt Jeff Meldau of New Zealand police said the climbers were being cared for at the base of the mountain.

He said: "The rescue took place at around 4pm (4am UK time). They were both lifted out by helicopter after the weather cleared up.

Worsening conditions

"Dr Cook and Mr Roberts have been taken to Mount Cook village at the base of the mountain where they are being checked by a doctor."

The rescuers had erected tents on the Rudolph Glacier, while Dr Cook received treatment on the mountain.

The Antarctic geologist at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch became ill on Wednesday on her descent.

She was 10 days into an exploration with three other climbers.

New Zealander Mr Roberts stayed with Dr Cook while the other two braved worsening conditions to raise the alarm at a remote mountain hut.

The 12,349 foot mountain, in New Zealand's southern Alps 500 miles south west of capital Wellington, has claimed the lives of more than 180 people since 1904.

In 1982 bad weather meant two New Zealand climbers sheltering in a snow cave had to wait 13 days before they could be rescued.