An Australian tourist suffered a critical head injury after rolling a four-wheel quad-bike on a rural Waikato road yesterday. 

The woman, 38, was riding behind others on Klondyke Rd, Onewhero, when she lost control on a corner and rolled the motorbike, about 2pm.

She was knocked unconscious, suffered a critical head injury and was bleeding from the ear when emergency services arrived.

Police believe she is visiting from Australia and has only been in New Zealand for a few days.

They are attempting to contact her family.

An Auckland Rescue Helicopter paramedic said she was wearing a cycle helmet at the time of the crash.

‘‘We believe there were some other people on quad bikes ahead of her. Whether it was like a guided tour group or something, we’re not quite sure. That’s what it looked like.’’

The helicopter had difficulty landing near the injured woman because of the steep terrain.

She was flown to Auckland Hospital.

- © Fairfax NZ News