Teen has miracle escape after 30 metre fall

A 14-year-old boy who fell more than 30 metres onto rocks is being described as a miracle patient.

This morning he is in a stable condition in Starship Hospital in Auckland, with only moderate injuries.

The accident happened yesterday at the southern end of Pauanui Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter chief paramedic Barry Watkins says the boy escaped with just cuts and bruises and a few sore spots.

He says there are cases in which people die from simply slipping on their back step, but the boy bounced and fell down a very unforgiving rocky area.

He then had a free fall of around seven metres, ending on rocks.

Barry Watkins says the teenager was wide awake and in shock when they picked him up, and knew he had had a lucky escape.

- NEWSTALK ZB