At 1400 this afternoon the Life Flight Trust responded to the Tora area in the Wairarapa where a teenager had an explosive cartridge detonate in his hand.

Life Flight responded with a Wellington Free Paramedic on board the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The 17 year old Auckland male patient was spending time on a farm in the area and was injured after picking up an unknown object.

"The man stated he picked up something that looked like a bullet cartridge and it exploded in his hand" says Life Flight crewman Dave Greenberg. "He made his way back to the homestead where someone else called 111 and helped stem the blood from his injuries until the helicopter arrived".

A Wairarapa Ambulance crew arrived shortly after the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Paramedics stabilised the patient, who appears to have lost part of at least two fingers, and prepared him for transport.

The patient was flown to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department where he is being further assessed and treated for his injuries.

The Life Flight Trust is a charity providing air rescue and air ambulance services. It operates the Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a national air ambulance service. It relies on support from the public and sponsorship from partners such as Westpac to provide these services. Further information can be obtained from www.lifeflight.org.nz

ENDS

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