Gisborne emergency services called out to crashes and burn-off fire over weekend

The Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter responded to a motor vehicle accident on Mata Rd inland from Tokomaru Bay on Friday night. A person sustained serious injuries.

Emergency services had three calls of note over the weekend - two involving road crashes and the other a fire.

The first was about 6pm Friday, when a car went off Mata Rd, inland from Tokomaru Bay.

One person was taken to Gisborne Hospital by the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter.

“Our onboard critical care flight paramedic assessed and treated them and the person was flown in serious condition to Gisborne Hospital,” a helicopter spokeswoman said.

Just before lunch on Saturday, Fire and Emergency NZ received calls about flames and smoke seen on the skyline on a property between Gray’s Hill and Matokitoki Valley.

Fire crews were sent to the scene.

It turned out to be a burn-off and the decision was made to let it burn itself out.

The third call-out involved a van that overturned on State Highway 2, south in the Whareratas, about 10.50am Sunday.

A St John ambulance spokesman said two men were transported by ambulance to Gisborne Hospital while a third man was taken there by private vehicle.

“All of them had sustained minor injuries.”