A lumber yard worker has been helicoptered to hospital after being trapped by a forklift in Kawerau this morning.
Northern Fire Communications shift manager Steve Smith said they were called at 9.15am to rescue a man trapped at a lumber sawmill on Manukorihi Dr.
"It came through as a person trapped with or in a forklift."
A doctor administered first aid at the scene while emergency services arrived, he said.
The fire service provided man power for the extraction, Mr Smith said.
A Kawerau Fire Service spokeswoman said the 45-year-old man suffered thoracic and chest injuries and fractured his legs.
He helicoptered to Rotorua Hospital in a moderate condition, she said.
Police said they attended the scene at a Kawerau business where an employee suffered injuries whilst working with machinery.
The injuries were not life threatening and WorkSafe had been advised.