The man fell from a lifter similar to this one. Photo / Supplied
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 calledbefore 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.
The Skyline Aviation prosecution has been adjourned to September 23 for case review in Hastings District Court, and the District Health Board case till November 26 for plea.
The patient's death was referred to the Coroner by Capital & Coast DHB.
It is understood HBDHB conducted a formal review into the circumstances associated with the accident.
* An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Skyline Aviation was facing a negligence charge. Negligence is not at issue in the proceedings.
