A 69-year-old man has been flown to Tauranga Hospital after a serious crash in Athenree Gorge today.
The Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was called to the intersection of State Highway 2 and Athenree Road this afternoon after two cars collided.
The crash involved two vehicles and the man was in the front passenger seat of one of the vehicles.
The man suffered a fractured hip and chest injuries but was stabilised at the scene by paramedics and was flown to hospital for further treatment.
Earlier on the same day, the rescue helicopter had been dispatched by the hospital for an emergency transfer of another 69-year-old man, who was suffering a serious cardiac event.
He was flown to Waikato Hospital for specialist treatment.