Sole occupant injured in helicopter crash on Mahia Peninsula
The sole occupant of a helicopter that crashed on Mahia Peninsula is being treated for moderate injuries.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash on a rural property of Mahia East Coast Road, Mahia Peninsula by a member of the public at around 6:26am.
A helicopter, ambulance, and first response unit were sent to the scene by St John Ambulance.
A St John Ambulance spokeswoman confirmed they are treating one person with moderate injuries.
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) senior search and rescue officer Nick Burt said at exactly 6am this morning they received a distress beacon alert registered to a helicopter.
They coordinated a response with the New Zealand Police, Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter and St John Ambulance.
He said the helicopter, a Robinson 44, had been undertaking agricultural work at the time it crashed.
The pilot, a male, was assessed and transported to Gisborne Hospital for further treatment.
The Civil Aviation Authority has been made aware of the crash.
Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust general manager Ian Wilmot said they assessed and transported the pilot, a male, to the Gisborne Hospital for further treatment.
He received "moderate injuries to his head and back etc".
The crash comes less than a day after two people were killed, and three others were seriously injured in a helicopter crash north of Kaikoura.
Wilmot said any message about a helicopter crash "sends shivers up your spine".
"It was a good outcome in that respect."
