Crankworx medic tent for mountain bikers quieter than usual, medic says

Just how many mountain bikers went to the hospital during Crankworx is unclear but one medic says he believes there were fewer injuries than in previous years.

Peak Safety director Budgie Woods has helped at the event medical tent every year.

He said there were slightly fewer injuries this time and that was a success for the event.

Athletes who entered the tent came for a range of reasons from grazes to broken shoulders.

Image 1 of 10: Trackside spectators show their support.

During the Enduro World Series on Sunday there were seven people seen for minor injuries, none of which required an ambulance referral.

Woods said injuries were assessed and managed by the onsite medics for the most part but about 10 athletes were sent to the hospital via ambulance over the six-day event.

Others were advised to get a further assessment at either the hospital or Lakes Care.

Woods said this made it difficult to get an accurate representation of how many may have ended up in the hospital.

Wednesday and Thursday were the busiest days for the medical team, and Woods estimated about 30 people came through with injuries on each of those days, ranging in injury type.

Crankworx Rotorua organiser Tak Mutu said numbers related to injuries were provided through a report by their safety director and that was due in June.

Mutu said it was not something they rushed because the report was used to improve future events.

The Lakes District Health Board was asked for figures around injury types and numbers but did not respond by deadline.