Person critically injured in Ōpōtiki kiwifruit packhouse incident

One person has been critically injured.

A person has been critically injured in a kiwifruit packhouse incident near Ōpōtiki.

WorkSafe says it is investigating after the incident at the Riverlock packhouse.

“Manufacturing is a large and diverse sector, and it has the largest total number of injuries of any sector,” a WorkSafe spokesperson said.

“Accidents involving machinery remain a common cause of acute harm.”

The incident was reported at a Waioeka Rd address about 12.15pm, a police media spokeswoman said.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said one patient, in a critical condition, had been airlifted to Waikato Hospital.

A helicopter, ambulance and rapid response unit were sent to the scene.

NZME has attempted to contact Riverlock.

The family-owned business has decades of history in the region. Its services include orchard management, harvest and packing, and other grower services.