The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was dispatched at 10.30 this morning to attend a train versus a pedestrian on the eastern coast near Otamarakau (45km north east of Rotorua).
The call triggered a large emergency response involving police, fire, ambulance and the Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter.
The only close-by landing option for the rescue helicopter was on the tracks with the skids either side of the railway lines. The flight crew confirmed there were no other trains due on the track, but kept the helicopter running in case it needed to move.
Fortunately the victim suffered very minor injuries after the brush with the goods train and did not require being airlifted to hospital.
