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An Auckland high school student is now in a stable condition after falling eight metres while on a school trip.
Waikato Hospital spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill confirmed that 17-year-old Kristin School student Callum Graham is in a stable condition in an orthopaedic ward.
He earlier fell eight metres and landed on another student on Waikato farmland.
The two boys were understood to be abseiling on a school trip to Castle Rock at Wharepapa south of Hamilton when the 17-year-old plunged below, landing on his friend.
A spokesman for the air ambulance, Grant Bremner, said it was unclear how badly hurt the two boys were, although he believed the pair appeared to have escaped serious harm.
The injured boy's fall was arrested to some extent by landing on his fried, he said.
He sustained a significant spinal injury, which was expected to keep him hospitalised for some time, the spokesman said.
He was expected to eventually make a full recovery.
Mr Bremner said that the pair were taken to Waikato Hospital by the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance.
"One came in with a bit of back pain but I think he got away with it largely," said Mr Bremner.
"Someone who falls eight metres is usually pretty broken up but he's actually in very good nick considering the fall, he's just in a lot of pain and is still being assessed."
The other boy was treated for an ankle injury and discharged.
