Tauranga helicopter rescues woman

Tauranga-based Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter has rescued a woman after her truck rolled in Opotiki this afternoon.

Low cloud prevented the rescue helicopter from flying to the scene at Waioeka gorge where the 61-year-old woman rolled her small truck.

The patient was driven by St John ambulance to Opotiki airport where the helicopter was waiting.

She was then airlifted to Whakatane for treatment on lower back injuries.

Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter base manager Liam Brettkelly said the Tauranga-based helicopter had been called because of the nature of the accident and the distance to the hospital.