Northland news briefs

John Kirwan is returning to Kaitaia this month.

Tractor victim now stable

A man who was seriously injured when he fell off a tractor and was trapped under an 8 tonne hay baler is in a stable condition in a ward at Whangarei Hospital.

The accident occurred about 6pm on Friday at Lake Ohia, northeast of Kaitaia. It took Mangonui firefighters two hours to free him using hydraulic lifting equipment. He was flown to Whangarei Hospital by the Northland Rescue Helicopter.

Arrest after call-out

Armed police were called to State Highway 1 near Pakaraka after reports of a domestic assault at an address where a firearm was present. Senior Sergeant Brian Swann said police took up positions where they could observe the house, just off SH1 near the top of Turntable Hill, and stop any vehicles leaving.

A car was stopped as it left the address about 8.30am yesterday and its driver, a 25-year-old Moerewa man, was arrested and charged with domestic assault, possession of a firearm and possession of cannabis for supply.

Spikes stop girls' car

Two Auckland girls led police on a chase in a stolen car near Kawakawa before their vehicle was spiked. Senior Sergeant Brian Swann, of Mid North police, said a member of the public reported a vehicle for dangerous driving then followed it and kept police updated of its location.

The driver initially pulled over for police, then sped off through Kawakawa and up State Highway 11 towards Paihia. Police deployed road spikes on Lemon's Hill, bringing the car to a halt about 12.30pm yesterday.

Two girls, both under 17, were caught and would be returned to Auckland. Charges were likely to include unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop.

Missing man quickly found

A man reported missing was found safe 30 minutes after police Search and Rescue were deployed to look for him. Police said the man went missing about 1pm on Wednesday and was found about 10.45pm yesterday on Mt Manaia, about 30 minutes after Search and Rescue began their search. The man was uninjured.

Kirwan returns to Kaitaia

Sir John Kirwan, who visited to Kaitaia last month thanks to Cyclone Debbie, will be at Te Ahu on Wednesday next week, 5.30pm-7pm, to speak on depression, resilience and well-being.