The diabolical weather that lashed northern New Zealand last night forced a rescue helicopter to abandon an operation to winch a badly injured man to safety.
A 35-year-old man was believed to have suffered severe leg and abdominal injuries after he was trapped by a falling tree on a farm in Northland last night.
A fireman was then injured in the rescue operation in Riponui, a small settlement between Whangarei and Kawakawa, which stretched out over a number of hours as worsening weather prevented emergency vehicles and aircraft from reaching him.
An ambulance spokesperson said a helicopter had to turn back to base.
The fireman suffered a broken collarbone during an operation that took place in pitch darkness and on difficult terrain.
