St John Officers from Murupara were able to stabilise the patient until the Rescue Helicopter Team arrived.

She was airlifted back to Rotorua Hospital for additional treatment and observation a spokesperson for the chopper said.

On Saturday at approximately 4.20pm the Bay Trust Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Ruatahuna to attend a man that was thrown from his horse. 

The Rotorua based Rescue Helicopter was already in the area supporting the annual King of the Mountain Race in Kawerau when it was diverted to Ruatahuna to attend the accident.

 The 64 year old local man received serious injuries to both the head and chest. He was flown to Rotorua Hospital for further treatment.

A spokes person for the Lakes DHB says the man is now in a stable condition. 

A Ruatahuna man is dead after a logging truck crash in the Kaingaroa forest.

Victor Ripia, 49, of Ruatahuna died when his logging truck rolled 25 meters down a bank in the Kaingaroa Forest.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 11am yesterday morning. The crash occurred on Forestry Road 6,  between Kaingaroa and Reporoa, 47km south of Rotorua. 
A fire communications spokesperson said emergency services from Kaingaroa, Murupara and Rotorua were called to the crash scene at about 11.00am. 


A spokesman for Kaingaroa rural fire said another truck called in the crash and when we got to the scene  it was evident the fully loaded truck had gone over the steep bank.  


"It is a tragedy for our community and whanau." says Whitiaua Ropitini a whanau member.


"When we first heard the news we were shocked and we didn't believe it was true. Uncle Victor was an experienced truck driver and has been driving for years so it was a huge shock for all of us."


"A tangi  will held at our marae Te Wai Iti" She says. 


Police are investigating the crash.