1 Sep 2013

Man falls to death during rescue

6:45 am on 1 September 2013

An investigation is underway in Australia into the death of a man who fell 30 metres while being winched into an ambulance helicopter.

The man was being rescued from a remote location near Mansfield in northeast Victoria after he broke his ankle during a group bush walk on Saturday.

Ambulance Victoria chief executive Greg Sassella says it is unclear how the man fell just as he was being pulled through the helicopter's door.

"In this instance something has happened and the patient is deceased," he says.

Mr Sassella says helicopter operations are high risk and the crews do everything they can for patients.

Ambulance Victoria has suspended all winch rescues while the equipment is tested and an investigation is completed, the ABC reports.

Police, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Work Safe Victoria are also investigating.