An 88-year-old Eastern Bay man is in Rotorua Hospital in a serious condition.

He suffered a medical event which worsened to the point where the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was called in to airlift him to hospital yesterday evening.

The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was in action yesterday. Photo: Supplied.

The Rotorua-based helicopter was despatched to assist a St John Ambulance which had been called to Ruatahuna to uplift a patient.

'The man's condition was deteriorating, thus the ambulance crew asked for air support,” says a statement from the rescue helicopter.

'The chopper met the ambulance at the Murupara Fire Station whereby the patient was transferred to the helicopter.”