The Tauranga based Trustpower TECT Rescue helicopter was called to Motiti Island after a man was stung in the face by a jellyfish.

The Tauranga man in his early 50s had been stung in the face while he was diving near Motiti Island yesterday just before lunch.

Initially the man didn't think much of it but once he surfaced he started to feel unwell to the point where he was lying on the floor of his boat in a lot of pain.

The helicopter was dispatched as he was also having difficulty breathing. On arrival his condition had begun to improve and the helicopter medic treated the man on the scene and didn't require transport to hospital.

On returning to Tauranga hospital the rescue helicopter was dispatched to a two car head on crash south of Tokoroa.

Two patients died at the scene, two patients where flown by the Waikato Westpac rescue helicopter to Waikato hospital in a critical condition and the driver and sole occupant of the other car was flown to Waikato hospital in a serious condition with multiple injuries.