Chch man injured in glider crash

Nelson Marlborough rescue helicopter

CRASH: Emergency services at the scene of a glider crash today.

A Christchurch glider pilot has been airlifted to Nelson Hospital with spinal injuries after his aircraft spun out of control during a landing.

The 47-year-old man was picked up by the Nelson-Marlborough rescue helicopter at 2pm after his glider landed short of the Lake Station airfield by St Arnaud, 90 kilometres southwest of Nelson.

Helicopter pilot Jarrod Colbourne said the man was conscious following the accident, with a doctor already on the scene when they landed.

Colbourne said the glider's windscreen was smashed but the rest of the aircraft was intact, while the man was "in a lot of pain".

A St John spokeswoman said the man was in Nelson Hospital with moderate injuries.

- © Fairfax NZ News