The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched at on Monday 12 September to a farm south of Ohura, west of Taumarunui. A male farm worker was seriously injured after a suspected fall from his horse.
A helicopter about to commence spraying on the property spotted the incident and landed nearby to raise the alarm.
Due to poor cellphone coverage in the area the pilot activated his emergency locating beacon which enabled a rapid response from emergency services. This is a timely reminder that people working in remote areas, with limited cellphone coverage, should away carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
The injured man was treated at the scene before being flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.
