January 29, 2019
A teenage girl suffered serious spinal injuries over the long weekend after a bolt detached from a swing.
The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Tryphena, Great Barrier Island shortly before midday on Saturday to assist the teen.
Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman Lincoln Davies said the teen had been sitting on a metal circular swing when one of the hanging bolts detached, causing her to fall.
"She suffered spinal injuries when she fell from the swing and also sustained blows from the metal swing."
Following the fall the teen was "unable to move" and "in extreme pain", Davies said.
She was flown to Starship Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
