Boy left critical as shortage of ambulances ends race

Too many accidents and not enough ambulances forced organisers of a popular street race to cut it short.

The Yamaha Battle of the Streets Paeroa meeting had to be shut down early yesterday after several accidents in the event - as well as unrelated incidents in the area - meant not enough ambulance staff were on standby.

A serious accident late in the meet saw two sidecars collide andleft four people injured.

Up to three ambulance units are at the event at any one time, as well as a separate intensive care unit for serious injuries.

Battle of the Streets media liaison officer Paul Lance said it was unfortunate the event had to close early, but he stressed that safety was paramount.

"We've had a few accidents and there have been a few around [town] too, which have kept ambulances busy. Basically we've used up all the ambulances."

In an unrelated incident, an 11-year-old boy was knocked off a small motorbike after being hit by a 4WD vehicle on Rotokohu Rd in Paeroa.

The boy suffered serious injuries and Mr Lance said a request was made to race organisers that the child be brought into the racing event's base, to be treated by ambulance staff in the intensive care unit.

The boy was held there before being taken by helicopter to Waikato Hospital, where he underwent surgery.

He was last night in a critical condition.

Mr Lance said that normally racers wait until ambulance staff return from the hospital, but because it was already late into the event, organisers decided to close down early.