CareFlight – operating the Top End Medical Retrieval Service on behalf of the Northern Territory Government – airlifted a 28-year-old man from Katherine to Darwin yesterday evening.

The man, from Barunga, had been riding a quad bike near Mataranka when he hit a fence at 40km/h.

Mataranka Health Clinic provided initial treatment for chest and neck injuries and airway problems.

Clinic staff then drove the man half-way to Katherine, where an ambulance rendezvous was arranged.

He was taken to Katherine Hospital by ambulance paramedics, while a CareFlight King Air turbo-prop aircraft was tasked to Tindal airstrip.

In the care of a CareFlight nurse and doctor the man was airlifted to Darwin and arrived at Royal Darwin Hospital in a stable condition late last night.

CareFlight praised Mataranka clinic staff, ambulance paramedics and Katherine District Hospital staff for their effort, professionalism and care.