Bush rescue in Wanganui

An emergency helicopter crew used a 40m cable attached to a stretcher to lift an injured man out of an isolated area of thick bush yesterday.

The 44-year-old from Wanganui was riding a quad bike on the Mangapurua Track, east of the Bridge to Nowhere and 40km north of Wanganui, when it rolled about 10.30am, sending the man 12m down an embankment.

He suffered serious neck, back and chest injuries.

His companion rode 2 1/2 hours to a farm house to call for help.

The Square Trust helicopter flew from Palmerston North with paramedics and police rescue staff.