Life Flight Winches Injured log skidder driver
At approximately 0930 today the Life Flight Trust responded to a forestry block near Koromiko south of Picton.
Life Flight responded with a Wellington Free Ambulance Paramedic on board the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
A 31 year old man had been operating a log skidder when it left the road and rolled around 200 meters down a de-forested
hill.
He was found unconscious in the cab of his vehicle by workmates.
Due to the terrain and location of the patient the only option was to winch the man out.
The Life Flight team winched Intensive Care Paramedic Tor RILEY down to the injured man who assessed and immobilised him
for extrication.
He was then winched onboard the helicopter and transported to Wairau hospital in Blenheim where he is receiving
treatment for moderate injuries.
The Life Flight Trust is a charity providing air rescue and air ambulance services. It operates the Wellington based
Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a national air ambulance service. It relies on support from the public and sponsorship
from partners such as Westpac to provide these services. Further information can be obtained from www.lifeflight.org.nz