'Nasty' skateboard crash puts boy, 8, in hospital

Photo / File

An 8-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital after a nasty fall from his skateboard in Whitianga yesterday.

The boy was skateboarding outside his house early yesterday evening when he fell off, hitting his head and abdomen and cutting his chin, Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman medic Dean Harvey said.

The boy was seen initially by a doctor in Whitianga and later airlifted to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition, Mr Harvey said.

"He wanted him taken through to Waikato Hospital.

"Our concern was head injury and his abdomen was a little distended."

Mr Harvey said the boy was not wearing a helmet at the time of his accident.