A lucky smoko break was the only thing that saved a New Zealand Royal Air Force (RNZAF) helicopter from a "catastrophic" crash into a logging cable. Forestry workers contracted by Tasman Pine were on a tea break, and had lowered the logging cable from its 180 metre height just before the helicopter flew "fast and low" through the valley. RNZAF The helicopter was seen flying "fast and low" through the Wairoa Valley, near Nelson, just moments are a suspended cable had been lowered. supplied Steve Chandler Tasman Pine Forest's chief operating officer. Ben Karalus The Wairoa Gorge, which is also popular with mountain bikers, is the site of a Tasman Pine forestry operation where cables are used for log haulers.

Source: Stuff July 21, 2019 19:18 UTC