Forestry worker critically injured following work-related accident in North Canterbury

Police responded to a serious work-related accident in North Canterbury this afternoon. Photo / George Heard

An investigation is under way after a forestry worker was injured during a serious work-related incident in North Canterbury.

Police said emergency services responded to the incident in North Canterbury on Chapmans Boundary Road, West Eyreton this afternoon.

Hato Hone St John was notified at 12.17pm.

Police responded to a serious incident in North Canterbury this afternoon. Photo / George Heard

It responded by sending a helicopter, two rapid-response vehicles and one ambulance.

“One patient has been airlifted to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition,” St John said.

WorkSafe said it was making initial inquiries into an incident at West Eyreton in North Canterbury.

“Forestry is one of the four most high-risk industries in Aotearoa and is a priority sector under our new strategy.

“The fatality rate in forestry is about 20 times higher than the average for all sectors. Kaimahi [workers] that are harmed are more likely to be young, Māori and from rural communities.”