Man killed by helicopter rotor blades

A WAVERLEY man was killed yesterday when he was hit by helicopter rotor blades.
The accident occurred about 10am on farmland near the former Waipipi Ironsands entrance road.
Sergeant Kevin Smith, of Wanganui police, said a helicopter had been spraying farmland for the last couple of days. The man ? a 61 year-old farm manager ? was about to unload the helicopter when he walked behind the helicopter and into the tail rotor.
The man died instantly.
Mr Smith said the helicopter was in "idle mode" at the time. Occupational Safety and Health and the Labour Department have begun an investigation into the accident.
Police will investigate on behalf of the Coroner, which is standard procedure in cases of death from unnatural causes. The man's name will be released when family members are notified, police said.