The man fell from a lifter similar to this one. Photo / Supplied
Medical emergency flyer Skyline Aviation is expecting to defend a charge relating to a patient's fall during a transfer from an aircraft to an ambulance at Hawke's Bay Airport.
A not guilty plea was indicated when the case of the company and the Hawke's Bay District Health Board was called
before the Registrar in Hastings District Court on Friday.
They have been charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act with failing to comply with a duty to other persons and thereby exposing a person to risk of death or serious injury. The DHB has no yet indicated a plea to the charge.
The incident happened on May 7 last year while the 78-year-old man was awaiting transfer to an ambulance after being flown back to Napier from surgery in Wellington.
He suffered facial and head injuries in the fall and died in Wellington Hospital 10 days later, although it has not yet been revealed whether the injuries led to the death.
