A man was airlifted to Waikato Hospital on Friday night after being critically injured on a Pyes Pā rural property.

"Police were advised at 7.10pm on Friday that a man on a tractor had been trapped by a falling tree," a police spokesperson said.

"It looks to have taken place at an orchard property.

"The person sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to hospital."

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said the service was contacted at 7.03pm and sent a helicopter, ambulance, rapid response unit and a manager.

"Our crews assessed and treated one patient who was airlifted to Waikato hospital in a critical condition."

Fire and Emergency NZ Northern shift manager Michael Anderson said their service was contacted six hours after the person had become trapped.

“At 7.09pm we received a report to a person who was trapped in a tractor by a fallen tree. He had been trapped since 1pm.

“Our crews worked to extricate him with the assistance of police, ambulance and helicopter crew.

“The person was removed from the tractor at 8.37pm and we left the scene with police and ambulance.”

Firefighting crews from Greerton, Tauranga and Rotorua attended.

“We had three fire trucks and support vehicles there.”

The injured person was flown to hospital aboard the Taupō-based Greenlea Rescue Helicopter.

A Philips Search & Rescue Trust spokesperson said this was because the Tauranga-based Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was on another mission, and Greenlea was the closest available.

It was dispatched for a male with serious injuries following a farm-related incident.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said the helicopter was circling Williams Rd North for a place to land.

“[It] ended up landing on a farm about 8.20pm and left about 9.25pm.”

Police said WorkSafe was notified of the incident.

At the scene?

Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz