Forestry worker airlifted to hospital after being struck by log near Pipiwai in Northland

A forestry worker was airlifted to hospital after being hit by a log on the job.

Northland Emergency Services Trust helicopter captain Steve Couchman said his crew were called to Purua in Northland about 11am today to winch the injured man out.

"He was a logger working on a log skidder. He's been down in a gully and a log's hit him and knocked him out for a bit," Couchman said.

Couchman said he was not sure if the log had come free from the skidder or came from somewhere else.

The 27-year-old man had shoulder and back pain, he said.

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A forestry worker was hit by a log in Northland today. Photo / Northland Emergency Services Trust

Because the terrain was so steep a paramedic and a stretcher were winched down so the man could be winched back up to the helicopter.

A St John spokeswoman confirmed an ambulance was called to the area and a person was flown to Northland Base Hospital with moderate injuries.

WorkSafe New Zealand confirmed it was investigating a forestry incident that occurred near Pipiwai today.

"We are making inquiries and have no further information at this stage."