The K2 Cycle challenge is a bicycle road race around the Coromandel Peninsula. Photo / Supplied
The K2 Cycle challenge is a bicycle road race around the Coromandel Peninsula. Photo / Supplied
Two cyclists were taken to hospital after crashing while taking part in a bike race in Coromandel on Saturday.
The Auckland Rescue Helicopter was initially called to transport one person who took part in the K2 Road Cycle Classic, but were advised of the second while en route.
The firstpatient, a teenage girl, lost control on a corner and fell and went over a bank, helicopter spokeswoman Kerrie Spicer said.
The second patient, a man in his 60s, fell on a steep downhill corner.
Both were taken to Waikato Hospital in moderate condition.
The helicopter crew also rescued a 19-year-old naval rating just after 12am today after he suffered a medical event while taking part in an exercise in a patrol craft, pilot Rob Arrowsmith said.
"He had collapsed while they were out east of Great Barrier Island.
"They did some first aid and kept him going and called for us to come out and we met them at Great Barrier Island and uplifted him and took him to Auckland Hospital."
The naval rating was conscious when he was taken to the helicopter and he was taken to hospital in a serious condition.