Three people nearly drowned in Raglan this evening and two have been helicoptered to Waikato Hospital for treatment.
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent to meet an ambulance at Raglan's Manu Bay at approximately 5pm.
St John paramedics and Surf Lifeguards had been treating three people from a group of four involved in a near drowning incident which took place at nearby Whale Bay a short time earlier.
Two Hamilton men, a 16-year-old and a 47-year-old, were flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment.
One was in a serious condition and the other had moderate injuries, a St John spokeswoman said.
She was not able to say which patient was seriously injured.
Another person was taken to hospital by ambulance and the fourth patient did not require further care.
St John said the person taken by road had moderate injuries.