A bulldozer driver injured when the machine rolled at
Mataikona in Wairarapa yesterday probably owes his life to a
bush cage.
The man, in his 50s, was part of a firewood-cutting crew who
were felling and stacking manuka on a block off remote Pack
Spur Rd about 11am, when the bulldozer plunged downhill. It
rolled at least three times before coming to rest on its
tracks about 200m down the hill.
The cab on the bulldozer kept driver inside and may have
saved him from life-threatening injuries.
The Castlepoint Fire Party and a Life Flight rescue
helicopter responded to a 111 call for help which had to be
made from a house in the area as there was no cellphone or
radio coverage. The site could only be reached by 4WD
vehicles.
Anders Crofoot said the fire party found the man conscious
and had been well cared for by his fellow workers. "We were
very grateful for that because we didn't know whether he
would have been trapped under the bulldozer and we had
brought jacks and things out," he said.
The Life Flight Trust helicopter responded with a Wellington
Free Ambulance paramedic. Crewman Dave Greenberg said it was
lucky the driver did not get thrown out of the cab on the way
down.
He had nevertheless suffered multiple injuries but none were
life-threatening. His injuries are believed to include cuts
to the head and rib injuries.
The bulldozer driver was taken to Wellington Hospital's
emergency department for assessment and treatment.
- Don Farmer, Wairarapa Times-Age
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