Helicopter Aids 4 Wheel Driver

The Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter transported an injured man after an accident at Riversdale Beach early this evening.

The helicopter, with two Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) paramedics and a WFA doctor arrived at the scene on Riversdale Beach just after 6.50pm.

It is beloved that the man was driving a 4 wheel vehicle along the beach when it rolled.

On arrival of the helicopter the injured man was being attended to by local residents. "He managed to walk approximately 500m to get help, despite having an extremely painful back injury" said helicopter crewman Colin Larsen. "The vehicle was fitted with a roll cage which undoubtedly prevented more serious injury from occurring".

It is believed that he was not wearing a seat belt at the time the vehicle rolled.

The patient was given pain relief medication on scene before being stabilized and transported to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department by helicopter. He is currently undergoing x-rays and other assessment to determine the exact nature of his injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening.

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