A 14-year-old boy has been flown to Auckland's Starship hospital in a critical condition after he was impaled through the head with a real estate stake.
The boy, who was coherent throughout the rescue, was airlifted by Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter from Beachlands, in south-east Auckland, this afternoon.
It was understood the young teen was playing "chicken" with his friends with the stake - where they threw it into the air and tried to dodge it - when it landed on his head.
It entered through the very top of his head and went the depth of a Bic ballpoint pen, it is understood.
A St John spokesman said the boy was originally in a status two, or serious, condition but that was upgraded to a status one, or critical, condition.
The spokesman said one ambulance and a scene manager was sent to the incident on First View Ave about 4.45pm.
Police said the incident had not been reported to them.
Crew from Beachlands Fire Station were called and used specialist cutting equipment to detach part of the stake so the boy could be flown to hospital.
"It's an unfortunate accident," said chief fire officer Shane Rutherford. "He was very lucky to still be alive, he had somebody watching over him."
Mr Rutherford said the special cutter was like a miniature grinder that made no vibrations.
"We had to keep him 100 percent still. He was very calm and collected, he is very courageous."
The stake was a metal pole used to attach real estate signs into the grass in front of houses.
- NZ Herald
