A teenage water-skier, who found himself unable to move with severe back pain after a water-skiing accident on the Waikato River, is in hospital.

Rotorua's BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was called to help the injured 14-year-old Whitford teenager on the river near Maungatautari at about 3.15pm yesterday.

The BayTrust Rescue helicopter was called to airlift a 14-year-old teen.

BayTrust Rescue Helicopter pilot Art Kowalski says the teenager came off his skis, suffering severe back pain and was unable to move.

Helicopter crew paramedics stabilised the teen at the scene before flying him to Waikato Hospital with suspected spinal injuries for further treatment and observation.