File pic Photo: 123rf.com
The husband of the woman injured after her quad bike slipped 50 metres down a bank in Auckland's Rodney District is thanking the emergency services who helped save his family.
Paula McLean was riding her quad bike with her three children on Ashton Road in Whangateau on Saturday.
The bike slid down a bank and she had to be airlifted out by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and taken to Auckland City Hospital in a serious condition.
Two of her children, Jasmine and Delilah, were taken to Starship Hospital but have since been discharged.
Her third child suffered only minor injuries.
John McLean is extending his gratitude to Fire and Emergency, police and St John ambulance, as well as a digger driver and the Westpac helicopter crew for their quick response.
"I am blown away by the support we've received," he said.
"The road ahead is uncertain, but the number of people in our local community who have dropped everything to support us during this traumatic time, has been incredible."
He said a local family has gone above and beyond since the accident and "their love, generosity and support means the world".
McLean said he was now "100 percent focused on the recovery and healing" of his wife and daughters.
A Givealittle page has been set up to help with living costs as Paula McLean recovers.
Other residents of Ashton Road said the road was in a bad state and many of the houses were inaccessible by car.
They said they have been complaining to Auckland Transport for more than a year.
Auckland Transport chief engineer Murray Burt said Ashton Road had been open to local traffic, with traffic management in place, since February.
In May more bad weather caused further movement of the existing slip and a contractor had been on site fixing it, he said.
"The next stage of work is due to start next week and involves using soil nails to stabilise the bank below the road."
He said designs for a permanent fix are underway and where possible, it wants to build back better than before so slips won't have to be repaired time and again.
"Locations that have the highest risk, and safety needs, or are the only access to a community, are prioritised for attention.
"In some locations, we've been able to provide a temporary fix, such as one-lane access to enable access for residents or the wider community, until we can permanently rebuild the road.
"We understand road damage is causing inconvenience to residents, due to detours and road closures and want to reassure the community, that we've deployed as many resources as possible to work on these sites but there are roads that will take significant time to fully repair."
A section of Ashton Road, Whangateau, in the Rodney District in Auckland. Photo: Google Maps