A 14-year-old boy is fighting for his life in an induced coma after being thrown from his quadbike at "high speed' yesterday.
The youngster, from Timaru, was holidaying with his family at a Lake Benmore camping ground when the crash occurred about 6.20pm.
Simon Duncan, general manager of Garden City Helicopters in Christchurch, which operates the region's Westpac rescue helicopter, said the teenager sustained serious head injuries despite wearing a helmet.
"He was travelling down a track when it appears he hit a bump at high speed and was ejected from the quadbike.
"He landed heavily on hard ground and suffered a serious head injury and fractured arm.''
Tekapo ambulance staff arrived at the remote scene just minutes before Westpac rescuers.
The teen was rushed by chopper to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition, accompanied by his distraught mother.
Mr Duncan said paramedics "worked on him very hard'' during the 70-minute mercy dash.
He said the boy this morning remained in an induced coma in intensive care.
