Farm worker seriously injured in quad bike accident

A 21-year-old farm worker has been seriously injured in a quad bike accident in the Rangitikei district.

The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was called to the incident at a rural property in Rangiwaea, near Taihape about 5pm.

Pilot Chris Moody said the hurt man was discovered after a farm manager noticed a damaged, upturned quad bike at the bottom of a steep hill.

"The manager was then able to locate the injured worker near the hill top and the alarm was raised," he said.

"Another farm staff member assisted in directing the helicopter to the patient's exact location and using night vision goggles the crew were able to land close by on a narrow hillside track."

By the time the crew reached the injured man, he had been outside for "a couple of hours" and was quite cold, Mr Moody said.

The quad bike and trailer unit appeared to have rolled in the accident, resulting in upper body injuries to the worker, he said.

It took about 30 minutes to stabilise him. He was then flown to Whanganui Hospital in a serious but stable condition, Mr Moody said.