Serious injury in flying fox accident at Tasman’s Quinney’s Bush campground

The flying fox in action at Quinney's Bush Camp near Nelson. Photo / Supplied https://www.facebook.com/quinneysbush/photos/pb.100042406704660.-2207520000/10157710067988085/?type=3

The manager of a popular Tasman campground has thanked nurses and doctors who were staying at the facility after they rushed to help a person who was seriously injured on a flying fox.

The incident happened on Saturday at Quinney’s Bush Camp in Motupiko, southeast of Nelson.

It’s reported that the flying fox snapped.

A spokesperson for Hato Hone St John told the Herald they were notified of the incident at 4.45pm on Saturday and sent one first response unit and a helicopter.

“One patient was assessed at the scene and transported to Nelson Hospital (by helicopter) in a serious condition,” the spokesperson said.

The incident has been reported to Worksafe which is making initial inquiries. A statement from Worksafe noted that at this stage it was not an investigation.

Camp manager Andrew Quinney told Stuff the medical experts were “very professional”.

The “flying fox was closed and they were investigating why it broke”.

He said the wire of the flying fox had been replaced four years ago and no damage was reported a month ago when staff carried out safety checks on all the equipment.

“Because of what’s happened, we’re going to be more vigilant.”

He said staff would be implementing weekly checks on all the equipment, and would be “more vigilant” in making sure guests were respecting the amusements on offer at the campground.

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