Weedsprayer injured as ute rolls down steep hill

A Havelock man was run over by his own ute as he tried to prevent it from rolling down a steep hill while weed spraying.

He was flown by helicopter to Wairau Hospital suffering from chest and leg injuries after the incident at about 11.30am yesterday.

Nelson-based Summit Rescue Helicopter spokesman Jarrod Colbourne said the 41-year-old spraying contractor was standing on the back of his stationary ute, spraying weeds on a hilltop called Takorika, just southwest of the Havelock township.

The ute started to roll down the hill, and as the man tried to get into the vehicle to prevent it from rolling, he was run over by it.

A St John advanced paramedic was winched to the man from the helicopter, which was unable to land on the hillside. The man was then winched into the helicopter on a stretcher.

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board communications adviser Katherine Rock said the man was in a stable condition this morning.

- The Marlborough Express