Police say alcohol is considered to be a key contributing factor in a quad bike accident in Hawke's Bay on Wednesday night.
A six year old girl was taken to Starship Children's Hospital in a critical condition after the quad bike on which she was riding - along with four adults - rolled at Waimarama.
Senior Sergeant Luke Shadbolt says all of the adults appeared to be showing varied levels of intoxication when police and emergency services were at the scene.
He says empty alcohol cans were found at the scene.
The quad bike veered off a bank and rolled, and the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter was called at about midnight.
Chief crewman Geoffrey Taylor said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
The girl, and her father - who had a broken leg - were initially airlifted to Hawke's Bay regional hospital, and the other adults were taken to the hospital by an ambulance.
All four adults are in a stable condition in that hospital.
Alcohol fuels hospital traffic
Separately, Hawke's Bay Hospital is blaming alcohol for a record number of emergency department admissions during the New Year holidays.
Hawke's Bay Hospital is blaming alcohol for a record number of emergency department admissions during the New Year holidays.
The hospital says it treated 157 patients on New Year's Day, which is about 10% more than last year.
An emergency consultant at the hospital, Dr Scott Boyes, says patients with alcohol-related injuries are more difficult to assess and treat, which means it takes longer to treat regular patients.
Dr Boyes says people need to adopt a more responsible attitude towards alcohol.
