KEY POINTS:
A top-dressing pilot is lucky to have survived after his plane crashed while taking off on a remote farm in the Tasman district this morning.
Police said the pilot was taking off from the farm, northwest of Takaka, with a load of fertiliser when the plane appeared to get caught in a gust of wind.
The plane caught fire after the crash and was reportedly burned beyond repair.
An ambulance was dispatched from Takaka, along with the Nelson-based Summit rescue helicopter.
The injured 34-year-old managed to escape the wreck and was flown to Nelson Hospital, arriving there about two hours after the 11am crash.
Northern South Island region St John Ambulance spokesman Ian Henderson said he had suffered serious, multiple injuries including burns.
A hospital spokeswoman said the pilot was being assessed but under the circumstances appeared to have got off lightly.
Police and volunteer fire service representatives from Takaka also attended the crash.
- NZPA
