Surf Life Saving Northern Region

Date: February 1, 2008

Time of incident: 1250

Club: Sunset Beach Surf Life Saving Club (Port Waikato)

At 1250 this afternoon Climatech Regional Lifeguards at Sunset Beach assisted St John Ambulance paramedics and the Midlands Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew with a motorbike accident involving a 9-year-old girl at Sunset beach.

The surf lifeguards witnessed the young female falling from her 4-wheel motorbike at speed only 300m north of their patrol tower. They called for an ambulance and attended to the female patient, fitting a neck-brace, securing her on a backboard and administering oxygen while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

A helicopter-landing zone was established at the beach’s upper car park and the Midland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked.

Regional Lifeguard Patrol Captain, Chiara Stetson, says the girl was wearing a helmet when she fell from the motorbike - but the fall resulted in her helmet cracking right through.

The patient was conscious, but complaining of back pain, and was transported to Waikato Hospital by the Midlands Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

ENDS