Teen girl suffers suspected spinal injury playing rugby in Whangamata

A teenage girl has suffered a suspected spinal injury playing rugby in Whangamata.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent to the Coromandel town about 5.45pm yesterday after a girl suffered an injury making a tackle.

A St John spokeswoman said one ambulance and the rescue helicopter was sent to the scene at the intersection of Martyn and Aickin Rd's.

The girl was airlifted to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition but Middlemore Hositpal has confirmed this morning she is in a stable condition.

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman Lincoln Davies told the Bay of Plenty Times this morning the patient was a local and flown to hospital after 7pm.

He said the back of the patients head hit the ground while making a tackle but although she had weaknesses in her arms and legs she did not lose consciousness.