Teenager on life support after Wainui crash

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A teenage girl is on life support in Gisborne Hospital after she came into collision with a van in Lysnar Street at Okitu at Wainui yesterday morning.

The incident happened as the 14-year-old as she rode her bicycle out of a driveway near the Winifred Street corner at the northern end of Lysnar Street at around 10.30am.

Nearby residents carried out CPR on the teenager until emergency services arrived.

The paramedic on board the Trust Tairawhiti Rescue Helicopter, the first emergency service to arrive, stabilised the girl at the roadside and she was taken to Gisborne Hospital in a St John ambulance.

She was in critical condition with a serious head injury.

“The residents did an awesome job caring for the girl until we got there,” a chopper spokesman said.

She was admitted to hospital and this morning was reported to be in a critical condition in the intensive care unit.

It was later confirmed she was on life support.

When police arrived they cordoned off Lysnar Street between Williamson Street and Winifred Street while the teenager was treated on the roadside.

They immediately began a serious crash inquiry.

“We have completed our scene examination and spoken to witnesses,” police said this morning.

“This was an extremely traumatic and distressing incident for the girl's family and for the members of the public who were there.

“There is an 0800 number available for anyone who feels they need to talk to someone about it.”

The number is 0800-842-846.

Victim Support is supporting the girl's family.