26 August 2014

A forestry tutor has been flown to hospital today after he was crushed by a tree he was felling while teaching a class in Marlborough.

The 40-year-old man, who had been living in Blenheim, was cutting down a pine tree at a farm in the Wairau Valley, west of Blenheim, when the tree fell about 11am.

It is understood the man was trapped under the tree for more than 30 minutes.

Acting Sergeant Blair Yockney, of Blenheim, said the man, who is from the North Island, was teaching a crew of North Island forestry students when the tree fell in the wrong direction, crushing him under it.

A Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter spokesman said parts of the tree had to be cut away to free him.

He was treated at the scene by a St John Ambulance paramedic and a Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter onboard paramedic, before being flown to Nelson Hospital with chest and leg injuries about noon.

WorkSafe New Zealand is investigating the incident.

Source: Marlborough Express story by Anna Williams via Stuff