King of the swingers

A tree surgeon rescued by helicopter after he broke his leg in a 130ft tree suffered further injuries when he was swung into another tree.

Gavin Finch, 31, of Marlborough, New Zealand, was near the top of the tree when the initial accident happened reports the New Zealand Herald..

Police, ambulance and fire officers tried in vain to reach him from the ground, before rescuers decided to airlift him.

A paramedic was winched down and once Mr Finch was in a rescue harness his safety lines were released, with both men winched into the helicopter.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing.

Westpac rescue helicopter spokesman Dave Greenberg said Mr Finch suffered extra cuts and bruises after he was swung into a second tree while being lifted out of the first.

High winds and surrounding trees and power lines meant it had not been an easy rescue, Mr Greenberg said.

Mr Finch is in a stable condition in Wairau Hospital in Blenheim.