Rescuer injured as chopper winches person off Leisure Island in Bay of Plenty

A rescue helicopter last night helped police rescue a person who fell on Moturiki (Leisure) Island, off Mount Maunganui Beach in the Bay of Plenty.

A police spokeswoman confirmed a person had been injured about 5.30pm after falling on rocks near the island's blowholes.

"The person is being winched off the rocks by helicopter," she said.

"It looks like the injured person has been winched out."

However, a Fire and Emergency staff member was reportedly injured during the rescue, she said.

"They suffered moderate rib injuries, after being struck by the rescue basket as it was being lowered to retrieve the original injured person."

The rescue basket was caught by a wind gust, she said.

Both of the injured were taken to Tauranga Hospital with moderate injuries, a St John spokeswoman said.

Dave Miller, who is isolating at Mount Maunganui, said he heard a chopper about 5.45pm and went to investigate.

"I got my bike and went to the beach to see if it was still there," Miller said.

"I could see it hovering over Leisure Island."

He said he could see a stretcher being let down before someone was also winched down.

"It kept circling for ages."

At the scene he saw an ambulance, two police cars and a fire engine.

"They were all out there trying to rescue the man."

Miller couldn't see anyone lifted to safety but watched as the chopper landed on the sand near Leisure Island, carrying a person inside.

"Everyone [emergency services] was still out there. They waited for another ambulance. It arrived and they took a wheelchair on the beach."