Gisborne news digest: Serious injuries in two weekend crashes, Ngātapa dog trials

Four people were hurt, two of them suffering moderate to serious injuries, in vehicle crashes across the Gisborne District on Saturday. Photo / NZME

Four people were hurt, two of them suffering moderate to serious injuries, in vehicle crashes across the Gisborne District on Saturday.

The first happened on State Highway 35, just south of the Ūawa-Tolaga Bay area, and involved a collision between two vehicles.

Emergency services were alerted at about 3.50pm.

“One patient was transported to Gisborne Hospital,” a Hato Hone St John spokesman said. “Two other people were assessed and treated at the scene, with no hospital transport required.”

An ambulance and a rapid response unit attended.

The second crash was in Waimata Valley Rd at about 6.50pm Saturday. It happened near the turnoff into the site of the Rhythm and Vines music festival at the Waiohika Estate.

“The vehicle left the road and struck a power pole, bringing down power lines,” an emergency services spokesman said.

“A man in the vehicle was taken to Gisborne Hospital with serious injuries.” The spokesman said he was Status 2 (potential threat to life).

Ngātapa dog trials

The Poverty Bay Sheep Dog Trials centre got its first club competition of the season away at the weekend, despite the weather, and it was a good two days for members of the host club, Ngātapa.

Friday was hot while Saturday was very wet.

“Congratulations to our local place-getters George Sheild, Brodie Taylor and Hannah Hutchinson,” a trials spokeswoman said.

The long head (Event 1) was won by Noddy Halley and Rocky with a score of 96 points, with Nigel Sinton and Devil second on 95.5 and Andrew Savage and Pip third on 94.75.

Event 2, the short head and yard, was taken out by Merv Utting and Bob with a score of 96, heading off Ben Te Kahika and Snoop on 95.5, with Halley and Rocky on 95.

The zigzag hunt (Event 3) was won by Sheild and his dog Turk with a score of 96.75, ahead of Ollie Rhodes and Sarge 96.5 and Hutchinson and Star on 96.26.

Honours in Event 4, the straight hunt, went to Ruie Bridge and Flash on 92, followed by Sinton and Quack on 91, and Taylor and Ears on 90.

The four intermediate winners were Johnny Millar and Bang, Te Kahika and Snoop, Sheild and Turk, and Taylor and Ears.

The four maiden winners were Millar, Te Kahika, Sheild and Jock Shaw with his dog Henry.

“A huge thanks to our landowners, judges, liberators, helpers and sponsors,” the spokeswoman said. “The event could not happen without you.”