Forestry fatality

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A forestry worker died yesterday when he was struck by a falling tree while working in a forest at Raukumara in a remote area about 20 kilometres inland from Tokomaru Bay.

Emergency services were notified at around 12.30pm.

It happened in a forest on Mata Road.

“The man was working in standing trees near a skid site when the accident occurred,” an emergency services spokesman said.

The Trust Tairawhiti rescue helicopter was called to the scene and landed at the skid site.

“When we arrived the paramedic on board pronounced the man deceased,” a chopper spokesman said.

Police went to the scene and started an inquiry.

WorkSafe NZ was advised of the accident.

“We are making inquiries to determine whether or not to commence a formal investigation,” a WorkSafe spokeswoman said this morning.

The man's name and further information about the circumstances of the tragedy have not yet been released.

Eastland Wood Council chief executive Kim Holland extended condolences on behalf of the industry in the district.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to all of the man's whanau and to the people he worked with,” she said this morning.

“We all want people to go to work in the forests and go home safely.

“This has been a devastating way to start the year.”