Local Focus: Two escape helicopter crash

A helicopter has crashed on farmland near Horowhenua.

Police said that there were two people in the chopper when it crashed on a Walkers Lane property near Waikawa Beach. Both escaped.

The crash happened about 1.20pm.

The crash hospitalised a student pilot and shocked his trainer.

Newstalk ZB understands the student pilot was in control of the plane when the crash happened.

St John responded with one ambulance and is transporting a male patient in his 50s with moderate injuries to Palmerston North Hospital.

Land owner David Keeling confirmed the pilot was a student.

The pilot was "a bit banged up and had a cut on his face", Keeling said.

The other pilot, believed to be a trainer, was still at the scene and looked to be uninjured.

A police spokesperson said the crash occurred on farmland.

Emergency services are still at the scene.

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