An operator broke both of his legs when his digger rolled on top of him on the Rimutaka Hill road, about 50km north of Wellington today.
The incident happened on a bend called Muldoon's Corner, about 1pm.
Life Flight spokesman Julian Burn said the worker had been operating the machine on a steep dirt incline when it lost traction and began to slide down the bank.
He was able to jump from the vehicle but in the process suffered serious leg injuries after the digger rolled on top of him.
The man was flown to Wellington Hospital.
