Man injured in microlight crash

A man is being treated in hospital for serious facial injuries following a microlight crash in Opunake.

The crash happened shortly before 11am near an airstrip near Winstone Quarry.

As the microlight was coming into land at the airstrip it appears the pilot attempted to abort the landing and regain some height. However the aircraft crashed into some rocks about 100 metres left of the airstrip.

The man, who is 37 and from Stratford, freed himself from the wreckage with the assistance of some local workers.

He has been taken to Taranaki Base Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.