Three people have been transported to hospital following a helicopter crash this afternoon in eastern Bay of Plenty.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash on a rural residential property between Matatā and Thorndon at 3.16pm.

One patient in a serious condition has been airlifted to Tauranga Hospital, and two patients in a moderate condition were transported via ambulance to Whakatāne Hospital.

“Our crews have assessed and treated three patients," St John said.

“We responded with two ambulances, two rapid response units, two helicopters and one manager to the scene."

Police also attended and said they had received reports a helicopter had crashed.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to the light aircraft crash in the vicinity of Bennett Road, near Matatā, said northern shift manager Josh Pennefather.

The service was notified at 3.18pm, and one fire truck attended from the Matatā station.

“There were no persons trapped,” Pennefather said.

“We are assisting police and ambulance with one fire truck.”

At the scene?

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