A Queenstown girl aged 7 was in a stable condition in Southland Hospital last night after a metal portable hockey goalframe fell on her yesterday.
The Queenstown Primary School pupil was playing with friends on the school field about 3.20pm.
Three or four children climbed the goal mouth.
Their weight brought down the frame, estimated to weigh 50kg, pinning the girl to the ground.
"She wasn't unconscious but badly winded and given a fright," school principal John Western said yesterday.
"People were around quickly and lifted the bar off her and kept her still in the recovery position until the ambulance arrived."
Mr Western said parents kept the girl calm and focused on breathing.
Her mother wasnotified and soon arrived.
St John Wakatipu transferred the child to Lakes District Hospital where she was airlifted to Invercargill.
Mr Western said the school would see if there was a way to reduce the risk of the goalframes toppling again.
Queenstown Senior Sergeant John Fookes said it was not a police matter.
A Department of Labour spokesman, Mark Piercey, of Wellington, said the department had not been notified yet and any investigation would depend on the extent of the girl's injuries.
