KEY POINTS:
A man suffered a suspected broken nose and eye socket when three youths attacked him after he landed his paraglider on Mt Maunganui.
The 14-year-olds were believed to be part of a programme for troubled youth visiting the iconic landmark, the Bay of Plenty Times reported.
Dave Edwards, 39, was attacked after he landed his paraglider to speak to five teenagers, some of whom were threatening to throw rocks at him.
Fearing for his safety, he had yelled at the group not to throw the rocks, before deciding to land.
As he landed, one of the boys charged at him, Mr Edwards said.
He was able to hold down the first boy but when he looked up to see the others he received a "soccer kick" to the face.
The force lifted him off the ground and rolled him over.
Video footage, shot by a friend recording the flight, shows he was then kicked in the back of the head, followed by a series of punches.
Mr Edwards said the woman in charge of supervising the boys, believed to be attending a Whakatane-based programme for troubled youth, said it was hard to control them.
The attack was witnessed by several people.
Mr Edwards was taken by quad bike to an ambulance at the base of the Mount and then to Tauranga Hospital, where he was checked and discharged.
Dave Shaw, president of the Tauranga Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, was shocked by the incident.
"This is the Mount, where it's supposed to be for tourists. You don't expect to see people getting bashed."
Three 14-year-olds have been charged with assault.
- NZPA
