Man seriously ill after fishing net accident

File photo / NZH

A man has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after getting tangled in a fishing net in the Waikato.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter was called to Port Waikato just before 1pm today.

Crewman Tinny Cannell said the man in his thirties was trying to pull in his net when he got caught up in it and came close to drowning.

He says the man was very distressed and was pulled out of the water by a passing boat.

He says the reports from the witness on board the boat is that the man was going under when they go there, but they managed to grab his hair and pull him back.

Tinny Cannell says the man has been taken to Middlemore Hospital with hypothermia and exhaustion.

- Newstalk ZB