Police were today trying to rescue two men who apparently fell 70 metres down a cliff face while fleeing police at Kimbolton, near Feilding.

The duo are believe to have sustained serious injuries with one police officer on the scene saying that they were lucky to be alive.

It is understood that three men were involved in a firearms incident in Feilding early today to which police were called.

One was arrested and the other two jumped into a car and fled.

- NZPA