KEY POINTS:
A man who survived a three-storey fall down a lift shaft, and narrowly missed being impaled, is in a comfortable condition in Wellington Hospital today.
Plumber Scott Tither, 24, suffered back injuries after falling down the shaft while he was inspecting a solar light in a Paraparaumu home yesterday.
After landing on a concrete floor on his back, just centimetres from a steel tube that protruded through the floor, Mr Tither called 111 for help.
His workmates were on a smoko break when the accident happened about 11.20am.
Mr Tither was flown to Wellington Hospital by the Westpac rescue helicopter with serious lower back injuries, suspected spinal injuries and potential internal and abdominal injuries.
Wellington hospital spokesman Michael Tull said Mr Tither was in a stable and comfortable condition today.
Paraparaumu firefighters eased Mr Tither out of the confined space without moving his spine, by using boards and a sling.
- NZPA
