Kāwhia electric wheelchair fire leaves one person critically injured

An electric wheelchair fire has left a man in critical condition.

The fire took place in Kāwhia in the Ōtorohanga district.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said emergency services were notified of the incident at 2.33pm.

St John attended with a first-response unit, a primary response in medical emergencies responder, a helicopter and a rapid-response vehicle.

“One person has been transported to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition by helicopter,” the spokesperson said.

A Waikato Westpac Helicopter spokesperson said the helicopter was dispatched to Kāwhia about 3pm on Thursday afternoon for a mn who “received serious burn injuries”.

“The patient was treated on scene by the on-board critical care flight paramedic before being swiftly transported by the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew to Waikato Hospital, arriving before 4pm, for further treatment,” the spokesperson said.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said a crew of four firefighters went to the scene.

“We attended an incident where an electric wheelchair was on fire,” the spokesperson said.

“The fire has since been extinguished.”

A police spokesperson said they were notified of the incident.

“One person suffered burns,” the spokesperson said.

The spokespersons said Fenz would advise police if further action was required.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.