Prisoner hospitalised after punching window

A prison inmate was airlifted to Waikato Hospital this morning with a cut arm after punching a glass window.

A spokesman for the Taupo-based Lion Foundation rescue helicopter said the 23-year-old male suffered lacerations to his right arm resulting in tendon damage after the incident at Rangipo Prison, 11km south of Turangi.

Extensive bleeding required him to be rapidly transported to hospital for further treatment.

He was later reported to be in a stable condition.

- NZPA