Mobility scooter rider 'almost hanged herself' on wire fence

An elderly woman is in a critical condition in hospital after almost hanging herself when she rode her mobility scooter into wire fencing.

Blenheim police said the 83-year-old had been exercising her dog in the town's A&P showgrounds yesterday afternoon when she became entangled in the temporary wire fence on Alabama Rd.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said today the woman had almost "hanged herself" on the fence.

She was unconscious and not breathing when a member of the public called emergency services about 1.30pm.

A Marlborough District Health Board spokeswoman said the woman was in a critical but stable condition in Blenheim's Wairau Hospital intensive care unit.

Police are investigating.

- NZPA