Drunk man accidentally shoots himself in the chest in Tokomaru Bay

An ambulance was called to a Tokomaru Bay property this morning.

A person has accidentally shot themselves in Tokomaru Bay, near Gisborne.

A police spokeswoman said they were notified by ambulance at 6.45am that a man had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

"He appears to have been intoxicated and has accidentally shot himself," she said.

He was described as being in a moderate condition and a helicopter was on the way to transport him to hospital.

Tokomaru Bay is a small beachside community on the East Coast, 90km north of Gisborne.