Helicopter rescue for hurt teacher

Waldorf Steiner School teacher Mario Gude speaks with emergency staff at Otawa Track while waiting for a teacher to be airlifted to Tauranga Hospital. Photo / John Borren

Tauranga school children experienced a bush emergency first hand when their teacher dislocated her hip while tramping.

The group of 16 Year 8 Waldorf Steiner School students and three teachers were in the middle of a three-day tramping, mountainbiking, kayaking and camping exercise on the Otawa Track yesterday, between the Te Puke Quarry and Number 3 Rd.

At about 8.15am, the party were about 45 minutes from the bottom of the track when the teacher had a fall and dislocated her hip.

Teacher Mario Gude said the party had taken an emergency beacon along with them.

"We were talking with the kids about how to use a beacon, although you never actually use them, then low and behold. [The injured teacher] is a very experienced tramper so she knew the drill."

Mr Gude led the students to the bottom of the track and one adult stayed behind with the injured teacher.

Once the teacher was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital by the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter, the group continued on their trip.

Board of trustees chairman Stephen Lane said some of the students had helped the teacher when she was injured.

He said she would be "more embarrassed than anything" and the students would have some good stories to tell once they returned to school from their trip.

A Waldorf Steiner School teacher has been Injured while tramping with students near Te Puke. Photo / John Borren

Sergeant Paul Cade, officer in charge of Te Puke Police, co-ordinated the rescue efforts from the bottom of Otawa Track. St John and fire brigade crews were also at the scene.