Microlight crashes in Taranaki

A man is in hospital with serious injuries to his face after his microlight plane crashed in the Taranaki region this morning.

Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said the pilot was injured but conscious.

The microlight went down in Opunake shortly before 11am near the Winstone Quarry, a later statement from police said.

The crash happened when the microlight aborted a landing attempt and collided with some rocks about 100m to the left of the airstrip.

The 37-year-old from Stratford freed himself from the wreckage and was helped by workers nearby before being taken to the Taranaki Base Hospital.

- NZHERALD STAFF