An 79-year-old man has life threatening injuries after being repeatedly charged by a bull near Masterton.

Police and ambulance were called to a rural property on State Highway Two north of Masterton at 12:45pm.

Senior Sergeant Warwick Burr said cattle were being loaded onto a stock truck when a bull charged at an elderly farm worker.

"The bull repeatedly charged at the man until other people present were able to get the animal out of the yards."

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The man was airlifted to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition with serious injuries to his head and body.

Mr Burr says the bull also charged at other farm workers and a vehicle.

It was shot dead after it charged at a police car.

- HERALD ONLINE