A 58 year old male from the Picton area was flown to Wairau hospital at 1740 today by the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter.

The patient was sighted lying on a rocky shore near Putanui Point, in Mahau Sound by a passing boat. The patients boat was washed up next to him.

He was treated by St John Intensive Care Paramedics at the scene for hypothermia and trauma.

It is unsure how long the patient had been lying at the scene.