A man enjoying a swim at one of the Western Bay of Plenty's beloved waterholes has been flown to hospital with a serious back injury.
The Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched at 6pm on Saturday to Poripori Rd, where the 28-year-old male was hurt.
The man had been swimming at the waterhole near Poripori Bridge and jumped into the water where it was too shallow. The man hit rocks, causing a serious injury to his back.
Due to the location in a steep gorge, the rescue helicopter used the Port of Tauranga Rescue Winch and lowered a paramedic down to the man.
The injured man was stablised and then was extracted from the scene, along with the paramedic. He was flown to Tauranga Hospital for further assessment.
