Teen impaled on post in mini-bus crash

A teenage tourist was impaled with a wooden post today after the mini-bus he was travelling in lost control and smashed into a fence.

The resulting injury was described as a "penetrating" chest wound.

Sergeant Jason Shailer, of Putaruru Police, said emergency services were called to a road crash at about 12.30pm.

An initial scene examination at State Highway 5, Tapapa, about 15km east of Tirau, showed the vehicle lost control while negotiating a moderate right-hand bend.

The rear of the bus collided with an earth bank and a wooden fence, Mr Shailer said.

One of the fence post's batons sheared off, smashed through the bus's window and punctured a Chinese 17-year-old's chest.

A Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance spokesman, who transported the tourist to Waikato Hospital, said it was the only injury sustained.

It's understood there were about 15 people on board.

The spokesman said the fence baton pierced the tourist's chest just below his shoulder.

- © Fairfax NZ News