A man was flown from Te Akau to Waikato hospital in serious condition with multiple injuries, while a woman suffered a suspected fractured arm after a crash in Te Akau on Saturday night.
The Hamilton-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Te Akau just after midnight on Saturday after it’s believed a ute left the dirt road and rolled 50 metres down a steep embankment. Raglan Volunteer Fire Fighters also attended.
A rescue helicopter spokesperson says a woman, in her 40’s, was thrown from the vehicle, but managed to crawl back to the vehicle to help the 21-year-old male driver.
“Due to the vehicle being overdue, some friends decided to retrace their route and heard the woman’s cries for help.”
The spokesperson says the woman had a suspected arm fracture and the man was in serious condition, with multiple injuries. Both patients were flown to Waikato Hospital.
The helicopter was dispatched due to the remote location and the hostile terrain.
Friend Kit Murray said the woman and a 21-year male driver were on the way to get him an asthma inhaler as he was suffering an asthma attack.
When Murray noticed the pair were overdue he inspected Te Akau South Rd and heard the woman’s cries for help. He raced to a nearby house to call emergency services.