Eye surgery after woman kicked by deer

Marie Grandjonc was on her farm north of Wellsford when a deer bolted and kicked her in the head.

A French cheesemaker was yesterday having surgery to save her eye after she was kicked by a deer.

Marie Grandjonc was with her partner Corrie den Haring on their Te Hana beef and deer farm, north of Wellsford, on Sunday, when a deer bolted, kicking her in the head before running off.

The couple, who were instrumental in the production of cheese from the award-winning Puhoi Cheese Factory, had been leading their deer towards a truck collecting them for the meatworks when the incident happened.

Mr den Haring, who is general manager of Green Valley Dairy which produces Lewis Rd Creamery chocolate milk, said Ms Grandjonc then fell to the ground.

She was undergoing surgery yesterday afternoon but there were concerns for her sight.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter took her to Auckland Hospital.

Chris Duncan, who treated Ms Grandjonc, said she had "time-critical injuries" and was taken to Auckland in a serious condition.

Mr den Haring said it was a freak accident, adding that animals could be unpredictable at times.

They had owned the beef and deer farm - with fallow deer - for about 13 years. Fallow deer were described as "speeding bullets" in the industry, he said.

He hoped to have Ms Grandjonc back home this week.