Marokopa: Person transported to hospital after incident involving helicopter, rope and rotor

Emergency services are rushing to an incident involving a helicopter in the Waitomo District.

One person is being transported to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition after an incident in the Waitomo District involving a helicopter.

Emergency services responded after one person was injured when a rope got tangled in the helicopter’s rotor, while it was on the ground.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson told the Waikato Herald the incident was reported at 10.03am and a rescue helicopter was dispatched.

“One patient was assessed at the scene and will be transported to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the incident happened near Mangatoa Rd, Marokopa.

A police spokesperson said emergency services received a report at about 10am that a rope became tangled in a helicopter rotor. One person was injured as a result.

The spokesperson said the helicopter was on the ground when the incident took place.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said they had received reports of an incident involving a helicopter after 10am.

Two fire trucks had been dispatched to the scene.

“We’re not there yet.”

More to come.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.