Top jockey rescued by the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter

Added 20th May 2008

Champion jockey Michael Walker (24) is under intensive care battling serious head injuries after a pig hunting trip went horribly wrong in dense North Taranaki bush. He was last night flown to Auckland Hospital after initially being treated in the intensive care unit of Taranaki Base Hospital. A hospital spokeswoman described his condition as "bloody serious." Rescuers say Mr Walker is lucky to be alive after tumbling down a steep bank then over a 10 metre bluff about 13km from Ahititi at 3pm on Monday afternoon. "Apparently he had a pig on his back when he went over and that might have cushioned the fall and saved him," ground searcher and Okau Rd farmer Ken Brandish said. Mr Walker was knocked out when he hit rocks at the foot of the bluff and ended up in a creek. Companions Brian Crow, Waitara, and Brad Smith, Hawera, removed his wet clothes and dressed him in a selection of their dry gear. They got him back up to the track but darkness beat their bid to get him out of the bush. Mr Crow ventured on alone for a while but had to stop because conditions were pitch black. He stayed with his three dogs and then raised the alarm at the neighbours soon after dawn.

The Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter was dispatched first thing on Tuesday morning and flew Brian over the area but it took ages to find the two hunters because of the thick bush cover. In fact Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter crewman Paul Patterson said it took 45 minutes to find Mr Walker. They spotted Mr Smith while doing a grid search just above the tree tops. TDHB paramedic Rob Berry was winched down through the bush where he found Mr Walker conscious but confused, suffering serious head and suspected internal injuries. Mr Walker was barely coherent and in obvious pain when the helicopter brought him from the bush. The whole operation took about two and a half hours.

Michael Walker is on the mend

Added 18th June 2008

Michael Walker is now walking and talking dispite his condition being life-threatening for the first 72 hours after his accident. He is said to be making a remarkable recovery and is fully aware of what has happened.

He personally acknowledges the medical staff in New Plymouth, Auckland and Wellington who helped care for him.