Media Statement on behalf of Richard Mathis

Media Statement on behalf of Richard Mathis

Richard Mathis who had two of his fingers severed in an accident at Waimangaroa, north of Westport, on Monday evening says he and his brother Jacques Mathis were unaware that his fingers could not have been saved when he talked to media yesterday. Mr Mathis says he believed that he needed to get to Christchurch as quickly as possible on Monday night to save his fingers and was distraught when this could not be arranged via ambulance or helicopter. He travelled to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance yesterday morning and was operated on to properly amputate his fingers yesterday. Christchurch Hospital Surgeon Sally Langley said that a number of factors meant the fingers were not considered for replanting. Although Mr Mathis says he is now aware that an earlier trip to Christchurch could not have saved his fingers, he says he will be making a complaint to Westport Hospital about the lack of information he believes he received about his condition before his transfer.

Richard says he is now recovering from his injury and does not want to make any further comment to the media.

ENDS

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