Westpac Rescue Helicopter: Injured senior Mercury Bay rugby player airlifted to hospital

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Photo / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

A senior Mercury Bay rugby player was airlifted to hospital after sustaining injuries during a match in Whitianga on Saturday.

Mercury Bay Rugby and Sports Club captain Mike Skeen said the Senior B player was still in hospital on Monday and he was waiting to be updated on the player’s condition.

An Auckland Westpac Rescue helicopter crew was called to Whitianga shortly before 2pm on Saturday to assist a man in his 20s involved in an accident playing rugby.

He was flown to Middlemore Hospital.

Skeen said the player went to charge down a kick, and jumped, coming down on another player, and landing on his neck and shoulders.

Skeen said the game was then stopped and medical staff immobilised the player, before an ambulance arrived at the scene.

Club president Eric Gaskell said he did not have much information, other than someone being hurt during a match.

He said the player had already been placed in an ambulance when he arrived at the match.

An Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman said the crew were called to assist at 1.57pm.

The spokesman said he could not “mention specifics to protect the identity of the patient”.

He said the patient was transported to Middlemore Hospital in moderate condition.