Rescue chopper flies boy to hospital

File/Photo

Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was called Okauia Springs at 2pm today after a three-year-old boy was found floating on the surface of the hot pools.

Rescue helicopter pilot Todd Dunham said the child was discovered by a relative, and once removed from the pools the patient started breathing on his own again.

Mr Dunham said St John paramedics checked the child at the scene near Matamata before he was flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.

Due to the ingestion of water the helicopter was used to fly the child directly to Waikato Hospital rather than drive by road ambulance, he said.