Trainee critical after crash

A 15-year-old was fighting for his life last night after his glider crashed near Matamata.

The student pilot was flown to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition after the glider crash-landed at the Matamata airfield at Waharoa.

His instructor suffered moderate back injuries in the accident.

Sergeant Graham McGurk of Matamata police said the glider crashed at the southern end of the airfield, about 1km from buildings where witnesses had gathered.

The student was taking part in New Zealand Cadet Force flight training.

Flight Lieutenant Michael Wills said it was too early to know what caused the crash.

Civil Aviation is investigating.