An Australian tourist was flown to Middlemore Hospital today with serious back injuries after falling from his mountain bike in Rotorua while riding an extreme down hill track.
Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter Pilot Liam Brettkelly said the 28-year-old man, who got into difficulties about 1.30pm, was stabilised by St John Ambulance staff at the scene, before being flown to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital for specialist treatment.
"The man and his partner were just four days into their New Zealand sightseeing and mountain biking holiday," he said.
No other details of the incident were available.