Hawke’s Bay: Man airlifted to hospital after Ngāruroro River boating incident

The man was flown from Ngāruroro River to Hastings Hospital in nine minutes.

A man was airlifted to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in a serious condition after a boating incident on the Ngāruroro River on Sunday.

The Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter from Palmerston North arrived at the scene near Aorangi Rd around 5pm and treated the patient for 45 minutes.

Philips Search and Rescue Trust head of fundraising and marketing Sharni Weir said the man was “stabilised on scene by the on-board critical care flight paramedic”.

“The patient was swiftly flown to Hastings Hospital, with a flight time of nine minutes.”

A Hato Hone St John spokesman said they were notified of the incident at 3.49pm and three patients were assessed at the scene. Two did not require transport.