Injured worker transferred
A 21-year-old forestry worker critically injured when he was struck by a log has been transferred to Auckland Hospital for treatment.
The man was hit by a log being carried on an overhead haul line about 11.30am on Tuesday, leaving him with serious head, chest and abdominal injuries. The accident occurred in pine forest near Awarua, 20km south of Kaikohe.
Acting St John Northland operations manager Wally Mitchell said the injured man was "quite unwell" at the time but still conscious and communicating with his rescuers.
A road-based team of St John paramedics treated the man then helped prepare him for winching onto the Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter.
The man had to be winched on board because there was nowhere for Helimed 1 to land.
He was flown to Whangarei Hospital in a critical condition with head, chest and abdominal trauma. The Auckland transfer was made yesterday..
The rescue was a true team effort, Mr Mitchell said. Members of the Kaikohe Fire Brigade also helped at the scene.
The accident comes less than three weeks after another serious logging accident, when a log rolled onto a worker in a forestry block just south of the Mangamuka Ranges on September 20.
The Labour Group of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is investigating both incidents.
