Updated: 10:50am. A critically injured man found trapped under a tractor on a rural property at Waiotahi in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, has been flown to Tauranga Hospital this morning.

Trustpower TECT rescue helicopter is on its way to Opotiki

Emergency services were called to the scene at Vanstone Drive about 8am. Whakatane St John Ambulance says the person suffered crush injuries.

Truspower TECT Rescue pilot Todd Dunham says the 37 year old orchard worker started the tractor in gear resulting in the tractor lurching forward and driving over him. The New Zealand fire service set up a landing zone in the orchard. The man suffered severe pelvis injuries that required immediate hospital care and he was flown to Tauranga hospital.

The helicopter was called due to the nature of the injuries and distance to the required hospital.