Call-outs began at 9pm on Saturday after the helicopter was asked to transport a 41-year-old Narrabri man from Tamworth to John Hunter Hospital, in Newcastle.

“The man had suffered a heart attack earlier in the day and was being flown for further testing,” a rescue service spokesman said.

“He was in a stable condition when transferred.”

Work continued for the helicopter when it was sent to assist a 63-year-old man who had been trapped under a quad bike at a property on the Willow Tree Rd, Werris Creek yesterday morning.

A spokeswoman for ambulance media told The Leader emergency services had responded to reports of a man trapped under a quad bike about 7.40am.

“The man was being treated for suspected spinal injuries and back injuries,” she said.

A spokesman for the helicopter rescue service confirmed this.

“It’s understood the man was spraying weeds at the property near Castle Mountain when the quad bike rolled on an embankment,” he said.

The helicopter transferred the man to Tamworth Hospital just after 9.30am. He was reported to be in a stable condition.

A short time after the helicopter, with paramedics on board, was called to retrieve a 50-year-old man who suffered serious fractures to his lower left leg.

A spokesman for the helicopter service said it was understood the man had attempted to mount a quad bike at a property on the Long Point Rd, Hillgrove, near Armidale when he slipped, lost his footing and fell down an embankment.

“He was taken to Tamworth Hospital in a stable condition,” he said.