Forestry worker injured

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A forestry worker has been seriously injured near Opotiki.

The Tauranga-based Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Toatoa, near Opotiki at 12:40pm today where a forestry worker slipped on a fallen tree whilst working and fell resulting in a serious lower leg injury.

The Port of Tauranga winch was used to retrieve the 26-year-old man as the area was steep and covered in fallen trees.

A St John paramedic stabilised the patient at the scene before he was flown to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment.

Due to the remote location and inaccessible terrain, the helicopter was tasked.