Farmer rolls vehicle down hill, crawls to safety and is flown to hospital in serious condition

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew the injured farmer to hospital with serious injuries. Photo / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

A farmer who rolled his vehicle 20-25m down a hill near Puhoi, north of Auckland, this evening has been flown to hospital in a serious condition.

A spokesman from the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter told the Herald they were called to the incident about 7.15pm.

Reports indicated the farmer, a man aged in his 40s, had driven off a farm track and rolled his vehicle down a ravine.

The spokesman said the farmer extricated himself from the vehicle and crawled back up the hill where he called out for help.

It is unclear who came to the man's aid, but St John was called and notified the rescue helicopter.

The helicopter had to land on a neighbouring property because the original landing zone had too much dust and debris.

The farmer was brought to the rescue helicopter in a scoop placed on the back of a ute accompanied by St John and other members of the public, the spokesman said.

He had multiple injuries and was flown to hospital in a serious condition.