Truck driver taken to hospital with moderate injuries after his vehicle rolls
Mon 31/01/2011 8:22 p.m.
The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter has transported a truck driver with moderate injuries after his truck rolled on SH1 Ohau Point, about 25 km north of Kaikoura, late this afternoon.
The helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic onboard, was called to the accident at approximately 4.30pm today.
On our arrival the driver had been removed from the wreckage of his vehicle and was being attended to by Kaikoura St John Ambulance staff and a local doctor, with the assistance of Fire Service personnel.
The 52 year old driver was transported by helicopter to the Wellington Hospital Emergency department with moderate facial and shoulder injuries. He is currently undergoing further tests to rule out any possible spinal injuries.
"As we understand it the driver was removed from the wrecked cab of his truck by passing motorists and taken to the road - a distance of about 20 meters" says helicopter crewman Colin Larsen. "We believe that the truck rolled about 3 times when it left the road and went down an embankment, before coming to rest upright at the waters edge" he said. "The driver appears to have been very lucky to escape serious injury".
The truck was carrying a load of timber. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Photos of the scene are attached, please credit Lifeflight.org.nz.
(Note: in both pictures the truck can be seen at the bottom left of the picture, the damage to the cab was done as a result the accident, not by any extrication process.).
For further information please contact:
Colin Larsen
Westpac Rescue Helicopter
021720512
