Woman severely burnt

A 45-year-old woman from Wedderburn in Central Otago is in a serious condition in Dunedin Hospital with severe burns after the chainsaw she was using erupted in flames yesterday.

Emergency services were called to a Wedderburn property at 5.45pm.

A Fire Service communications spokesman said it appeared the woman was filling up her chainsaw when it caught fire.

On arrival, St John and Fire Service personnel from Ranfurly treated the woman for severe burns to her legs, arms, back and torso, and she was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.