A 43-year-old forestry worker has been admitted to hospital with head injuries after being struck by a branch while felling trees in the Putere forest near Wairoa yesterday.
The man was part of a nine-person crew employed by Pan Pac Forest Products who were working on steep terrain when the accident occurred about 7.45am.
Operations manager for the forestry and logistics department Neil Weber said the man was working alone in an isolated part of the forest when he was struck on the side of the head by a falling branch.
Mr Weber said an investigation had begun into how the accident occurred.
He said all safety procedures were being followed at the time and the man was wearing protective gear including a hard hat.