Woman critically hurt after falling from horse

The Trustpower TECT Rescue helicopter flew the woman to Waikato Hospital. Photo / File

A 61-year-old woman has been critically injured after she fell from her horse riding in an organised hunt today.

The Tauranga based Trustpower TECT rescue helicopter base manager Liam Brettkelly said the accident happened on remote farmland at Waiohau, a settlement in the Bay of Plenty between Murupara and Whakatane, around 3pm.

Brettkelly said the woman, who was from Opotoki, had just taken a jump when she started to fall off her horse.

As she tried to right herself the horse took off.

"It bolted and ran down a steep hill and she fell off head first," he said.

She was flown to Waikato Hospital with critical head injuries.

He said the helicopter was used because of the seriousness of the patient's injury and the distance to a major medical facility.

The injured woman's husband was also riding on the organised hunt.