Father and son injured in farm crash

A 16-year-old is in critical condition after he and his father crashed while riding farm bikes in Taupo overnight. Police said that alcohol appeared to be a factor.

The two farm hands from Taupo had been riding the bikes north on Tram Rd, about 12.55am, when they hit a bank and crashed, Sergeant Dave Frazer said.

The father, 35, was thrown 15m after hitting a drain and going into the bank.

The teenager lost control of his bike after hitting the bank, sliding 35m into a gully.

A family member found them after they failed to return home.

The teenager was airlifted to Waikato Hospital with critical head injuries, while the father was airlifted to Rotorua Hospital with moderate injuries.

Mr Frazer said speed did not appear to have been a factor in the crash, but alcohol did.

- NZPA