Woman mountain biker airlifted out of dense bush east of Rotorua after serious fall

A 35-year-old was airlifted out of an area near the Pakihi Hut, on the East Coast, after suffering a serious fall from her mountain bike. Photo / Philips Search and Rescue Trust

A mountain biker was airlifted out of heavy bush near Rotorua after suffering suspected spinal injuries when she fell from her bike.

The alarm was raised when a personal locator beacon was activated near the Pakihi Hut, in the Opotiki area of the Eastland region and about 106km east of Rotorua about midday today.

The hut and local area has become somewhat of an attraction as the Pakihi Valley was home to Kiwi author Barry Crump, whose book Wild Pork and Watercress inspired the movie: Hunt For The Wilderpeople, directed by Taika Waititi.

Paramedics from the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter/Philips Search & Rescue Trust were dispatched to the scene by the Rescue Co-ordination Centre of NZ.

They found a 35-year-old woman from Rotorua.

She had suffered a serious fall while mountain biking in the area and was thought to have had spinal injuries.

She was airlifted to Whakatane Hospital for medical treatment.