A Carterton motorcyclist has been flown to hospital after being knocked unconscious in a crash with another rider at a Wairarapa trail-bike event.
Andrew Tulloch, 49, of Cornwall Rd, was taking part in the Rocky and Summer Hill Station trail ride at Te Wharau on Sunday when he crashed head-on with
another rider.
Grant Langlands, one of the event's organisers, said there was a "bit of a clash of heads" in the collision with Mr Tulloch coming off the worse. "He fell off and bumped his head and was unconscious for a minute."
The other rider suffered a cut lip when a part of his helmet came loose. He received six stitches from St John staff on-site.
Mr Tulloch was also quickly treated by St John medical staff, and stabilised at the scene until the Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived just after 1pm.
He was flown to Wellington Hospital where he was assessed and discharged later on Sunday.
Mr Langlands said apart from "a bit of whiplash", Mr Tulloch was doing well and was at home yesterday recovering.
About 200 bikers turned out at the event, where they competed amid "spectacular" scenery.
"Some of the hills were a bit of a challenge with the rain but that's the thing with Wairarapa. You never know what you're going to get weather-wise."
In another Wairarapa rescue, the Westpac helicopter was called to Flat Point, south of Riversdale, at 1pm on Saturday.
A 41-year-old Carterton man who had suffered chest pains while working on a commercial fishing boat off the coast was picked up.
The boat returned to shore at Flat Point where it met the helicopter. The man was taken to Wellington Hospital where he was treated and released last night.
Dave Greenberg, of the Life Flight Trust, said the weekend's rescues were made more difficult by wild weather, with the helicopter having to contend with 90km/h winds at times.
