Student returns to school after crash

Kaya Shlomi during a Team Tag Relay at Pandora Pond.

Kaya Shlomi has returned to school after crashing off her bike during a 12 hour adventure race.

The Taradale High School student was unconscious for about two minutes at the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park during the Go-4-12 New Zealand Secondary Schools' Adventure Racing Championships at the weekend.

Initial fears were that she had sustained a serious spinal injury. However, principal Stephen Hensman said Kaya was released from hospital on Monday, returned home on Tuesday, and to his pleasant surprise, attended school yesterday.

"The fears that Kaya had sustained a back injury have been allayed, so there is no fracture or injury to her spine," Mr Hensman said.

Medical advice, received by Kaya and her family, is that cognitive activity will assist her full recovery from the concussion she sustained.

Kaya has returned to school but is taking each day as it comes.

"She is taking breaks, and sleeping for short periods during the day as required."

It is unclear at present if Kaya will attend the week-long Sir Peter Blake Youth EnviroLeaders' Forum in Nelson, which starts on Saturday.

"Kaya and her family will make a decision over the next 24-48 hours."

Mr Hensman said the organisers were keen for Kaya to go as her application was excellent, and provision will be in place to ensure she is chaperoned throughout the event and can withdraw and rest whenever she needs.