Girl winched to safety
A 14-year-old girl was winched into the TrustPower TECT rescue helicopter from a hut in the Kaimai Range on Saturday morning.
The Auckland girl was part of a group from Manurewa College tramping in the Kaimais as part of a week-long walk, cycle and kayak trip from Mount Maunganui to Auckland.
Injuring her knee on Friday afternoon, the girl was able to make it to Te Rereatukahia Hut, west ofKatikati, but as she was unable to carry on her group called for help.
The helicopter used the Port of Tauranga rescue winch to lift the girl as there was nowhere to land near the hut.
She was flown to Tauranga hospital for treatment.
The helicopter was called out again on Saturday evening to airlift an injured farmer from Waihau Bay.
The farmer was hurt when the quad motorbike he was riding collided with a tree.
He received head and chest injuries and was flown to Tauranga Hospital in a critical condition.
