Motorcross Accidents Keep Westpac Helicopter Busy

The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter has transported Motorcross accident victims from the Wairarapa and Marlborough this weekend. And as this is being written the Life Flight NZ air ambulance is transporting a seriously injured hang gliding accident victim to Christchurch.

On Saturday the helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic onboard, responded to Mt Ross, near Martinborough in the Wairarapa around 1130 am. In this accident a 50 year old Whitby man suffered a leg injury when he was thrown from his motorcross bike.

"The man was not seriously injured but his remote location meant that it would have taken many hours to get to him and then back out" says Dave Greenberg, Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman. "We had him back to Wellington Hospital less then an hour after the call for help was received by 111".

The man was treated at Wellington Hospital Emergency Department and discharged late Saturday.

Today (Sunday) at about 3:30pm the helicopter was called to a motorcross event in Linkwater in Marlborough.

Near the conclusion of one of the races two young riders collided, injuring them both.

A 13 year old Blenheim girl was suffering from back pain and a 10 year old Wairau Valley boy was suffering from a badly broken leg after the collision. The pair were treated by a private ambulance at the event and then transported to Wairau Hospital in Blenheim for treatment around 5pm this afternoon.

"Initially it was thought that one of the riders was suffering from a concussion so the helicopter was called in" says Greenberg. "Luckily both riders were wearing full safety gear so although one of them was a bit dazed, our Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic does not think they were concussed".

Seriously Ill Hang Glider Being Transported to Christchurch aboard Life Flight NZ Air Ambulance
Not much information is available about the hang glider.

Apparently he was injured in a 10 metre fall late this afternoon and transported to Wairau Hospital in Blenheim. He is believed to be suffering from head and spinal injuries.

A specialist flight team from Wellington ICU is currently transporting the man to Christchurch Hospital aboard the Life Flight NZ air ambulance.

Suggest you contact Wairau Ambulance Service of Blenheim Police for more information on this incident.

ENDS

http://www.lifeflight.org.nz

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